11/15/2025
Beautiful tribute.
Once an Oiler, Always an Oiler.
Obituary for Susan Olga Mateja
Susan Olga Mateja (nee Haluska) was born October 18, 1931 in Whiting, Indiana to Slovak-American parents and passed peacefully with her family by her side to Heaven to be with our Lord and her dear husband of 69 yrs, Phil Mateja Sr, who proceeded her in death in 2021. She will also join her parents, John Sr and Mary, her mother-in-law, Angeline and all her brothers, sisters from both sides of the family, except Aunt Margene Haluska who is still with us.
Sue was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend and Christian. She is survived by her children Philip Mateja, Jr., Deborah Soule (Ken), and Rebecca Mateja Lombardini as well as her beloved grandchildren Heather Mateja, Amanda Jones, Nicholas Soule, Lia Lombardini, Lorann Lombardini (Jake Huber), and Luke Lombardini.
She was a supporter of all good, including so much for women, sports, and politics, which manifested in her kids, grandchildren and community. A consummate cheerleader for Whiting, bp, church, Cal Clowns (she was Snoodles, which means noodles in Slovak), Humane Society, Slovak Club, American Legion, and society as a whole. Hey Luchka, Luchka, Slovak Singers at St. Paulโs. Besides, loving Phil Sr, working for Purdue Engineering, Dr. Pelino and Garvin, Nipsco, then her beloved bp storehouseโฆthe devoted daughter took care of her mom 20 yrs and father 20 yrs--40 yrs every day twice a day on Center St and 119TH ! Her parents were immigrants from Slovakia by boat in the early 1900โs. Young, tired, hungry, they endured and rose to establish Haluska Trucking, St Paulโs Church, and Whiting City and Schools. Zuska was the youngest of 6 children-John, Mary, Andrew, Irene, Bessie, Susan--born to John and Mary (Pobeha) Haluska from Bratislava, settling on Center St in the little City of Whiting. They grew their family and business at the East end of 119th, her โHaluska Acresโ, with chickens of course, one time in the garage at Gpaโs and sometimes at Gma Matejaโs in Goose Island . She graduated Whiting High School in 1949, cheering on the State Champ Whiting Oilers, which her sweetheart quarterbacked! They were married in 1951 and stayed in the betrothed folk huts on the Purdue campus. Soon after they had baby #1, Phil, and Mama Sue held down the Fort at home, while Papa Phil supported the troops, entertaining them with his athletic skills. She received some of the most beautiful hand-written love letters from her husband. They traveled a bit as he played baseball for the Senators system having baby two, Debbie. In 1958, they returned to the Region to raise their family. Phil a teacher, coach, and principal and Sue well letโs say she supported everything her family did, while also contributing personally to many causes. However, amongst the business, the love birds had baby #3, Becky, who kept them quite involved. The family enjoyed trips to Holland, MI, Florida, Billings-Montana, Las Vegas (for their 50th), Europe and Australia making many friends along the way. After she retired from bp, she not only was a main stay in the grand kids lives, but she loved helping at the new family shop, P&H Printing, Etc. She enjoyed chatting, filing, and facebook, connecting with all her tetkas.
Grandma Sue gave the best foot massages, apple slices, and of course her entrepreneurial spirit of care, covering us with anything that would protect usโlike make-shift rain ponchos, eagle eye and voice, and LOVE. While she was fierce, she was a giver. Our accolades were hers. Always cheering for us as she did for the Whiting Oilers, Purdue Boilermakers, and her offspring especially at Montana State Jackets, Newcastle-Australia Falcons, Loxahatchee Knights, Chesterton Trojans, Kansas City Roos, and Indiana Hoosiers. This Dalka helped establish the Mateja Athletic Award at School City of Whiting, Angels Honor Guard to Fight Fentanyl, and Matejaโs Glory Garden Hub where the Market sprung like her little gemsโฆ Her fondest memory was probably visiting her parentโs homeland around Bratislava with those Tatra Mountainsโฆplease insert yours here, there were many and bless you to share in her life. She cherished her Slovak family here and in Europe. Her friends she chatted with daily. And of course, her immediate family including all the pets!!! Sarge and Oliver visited her on Monday. They are all to be her continuing violin symphony!
Big stick and soft heart, no evil even for those who tried to hurt us, especially her grandkids, she just prayed and drank tea with a lil Pear brandy watching her favorite Show Good Day NWI with Becky and Pete. Sue never really spoke about plans or pain, trusting we get along and take care of it. Cakaj (wait in Slovak), Donโt cry for me, no, celebrate my beauty, courage, generosity, spirit and flowers, fun ole Sheridan Ave. Iโm goodโฆDakejum our steadfast and faithful servant.
Enjoying all your wonderful commentsโฆ Expressions of sympathy may be shared on-line at www.baranfh.com. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 11:00am at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 118th St. and Atchison Avenue., Whiting; interment of cremains to follow at Concordia Cemetery, Hammond. Visitation at the church on Monday morning from 10:00am to time of services. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Baran Funeral Home, 1235-119th St., Whiting.. (219) 659-4400.
