Matyas Kiss

     Matyas “Matt” Kiss lived a long, fulfilling life until his passing on September 17th of 2023, surrounded by his family in Charlevoix, Michigan. Matt was born on May 3rd, 1933, in Nemetker, Hungary where he spent his early childhood years.

     At the age of seventeen, Matt attended trade school in his home country, Hungary, to become an electrician and later served two years in the Hungarian Army. During the Hungarian Revolution, Matt realized his yearn for freedom from the communist rule and escaped from Hungary in December of 1956. Matt then went to London to study English for seven months and set off for US soil to find his Grandfather who lived in Ithaca, Michigan. Matt later met his beautiful Spanish bride Maria “Lucy” Bustamante at his brother Lajos' wedding. Matt and Lucy were then married on October 5th of 1963, in Washington, D.C. and later moved to St. Louis, Michigan where they called home.

     Matt began working as an electrician at Alma Trailer and continued his work at Lobdell Emery until 1967, when he began work at Dow Chemical until retiring in 1991. It is no small feat the hardships Matt endured to give his family an incredible life.

     Matt had a lively, humorous, yet gentle personality; he was anything but ordinary. He had a passion for traveling, hunting, fishing, and of course, storytelling. He enjoyed good food, good wine and a good laugh. Matt cherished his time with family and always made his family a priority. Matt will forever be remembered as a loyal, loving and devoted friend, husband, dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He shared his love beyond family and friends with everyone he encountered. Matt’s presence will be deeply missed by all but not forgotten.

     Matt is survived by his wife Maria “Lucy” Kiss; daughter Mercedes (Ed) Long of Marshall, MI; daughter Chris Good of Charlevoix, MI; Grandchildren: Morgan (Max) Holt of Canton, MA; Stacey Long of Walker, MI; Taryn (Jeremy) Luciani of Byron Center, MI; Carlee Long of Marshall, MI; Matthew Good of Cincinnati, OH; Jenna Good of Grand Rapids, MI; Great-grandchild Millie Holt; two sisters: Magda and Rozi of Hungary. Matt was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and one sister.

     On Saturday, September 23, 2023, visitation will be held at Nativity of the Lord Parish, Mount Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 605 S. Franklin Street St. Louis, MI, beginning at 1:00 p.m. until the time of church service at 2:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Louis, Michigan with a luncheon at Pine River Township Hall.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made at St. Mary Catholic School, 220 W. Downie Street, Alma, Michigan 48801. Online condolences may be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.