Matthias Rettig

Matthias Rettig, born February 19, 1938, died peacefully at home on November 27, 2025. He is survived by Eva Rettig, his beloved wife of 65 years, and their cherished children, Thomas Rettig and Barbara Bailey.

Matt was a naturalized American citizen, born to a German-speaking family in Bajmok, Yugoslavia. He was a 1956 graduate of Ravenna High School, after which he became an accomplished machinist at Warner & Swasey Company of Cleveland. He graduated from Kent State University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Matt went on to teach a variety of subjects at Kent City Schools, including German, Industrial Arts, Diversified Cooperative Training, and vocational education. He earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling from Kent State University in 1972. He retired in 1994 and held professional lifetime memberships in the National Education Association, Ohio Education Association, and the Portage County Retired Teachers Association.

Matt loved to sing German folksongs, tend his vegetable garden, tinker with motors, and make tools to streamline jobs around the house, all while listening to shortwave radio. Matt recognized value in found objects, masterfully re-purposing, creatively repairing, and manufacturing parts for anything from toys to plumbing fixtures. He loved his family dearly and was always willing to stop working to play a rousing game of ping-pong with his cherished grandchildren, Nathaniel, Julianna, and Rebecca. A devoted and loving father, Matt faithfully brought his family to Sunday worship every week, instilling a lifelong devotion to honoring the Lord. He was a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church in Kent, and later Tallmadge Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife, Eva Oster Rettig; son, Thomas Rettig; daughter, Barbara Bailey; son-in-law, James Bailey whom he loved as his own son; grandchildren, Nathaniel Bailey (Maryellen), Julianna Bailey, and Rebecca Bailey; and brother, John Rettig (Frances). He is preceded in death by his parents, Mathias and Anna Rettig; sister, Mary Rettig Irish; and brother-in-law, George B. Irish.

Funeral services will be at Tallmadge Lutheran Church, 759 East Avenue, Tallmadge, Ohio 44278, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, with Pastor Andy Alberts officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00AM, followed by an 11:00AM funeral service and procession to Standing Rock Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Tallmadge Lutheran Church.

Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.