MOORESVILLE — Deacon Robert Michael Kratchman, 83, of Mooresville went home to the Lord after passing away peacefully on Thursday, April 6, 2017.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, April 10, 2017, at St. Thérèse Church in Mooresville.
He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived in Bergen County, N.J. He retired in 1985 as captain of the Mahwah, N.J., Police Department after serving 25 years.
He was ordained a deacon for the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., on May 14, 1992, and in May would have celebrated 25 years of ministry. He was an active member at St. Elizabeth Parish in Wyckoff, N.J., and St. Theresa Parish in Little Egg Harbor, N.J.
After serving in the Newark area, he served in the dioceses of Trenton, N.J., and Venice, Fla. His ministry included hospice; leading a monthly food drive which distributed more than 800 meals per month; and was a staff manager.
Moving to North Carolina in 2011, Deacon Kratchman was assigned to St. Thérèse Church. His presence there was a sign for others of the importance he placed on his own belief in God and his love to serve those he encountered. In his four years at the Mooresville parish, he continued his people-oriented service in the outreach ministry, Knights of Columbus and Men of St. Thérèse. He made an impact on many in the parish with his deep spirituality and evangelical approach to the Gospel.
He enjoyed fishing, cooking, traveling and, most of all, spending time with his beautiful family.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan Sullivan Kratchman; their children, Robert (Susan) Kratchman, Kenneth (Yvonne) Kratchman, Loretta (James) Tuit, and Nancy (Randy) White; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters Jane Mackey and Mary Kratchman; and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, in honor of his great-grandchildren Abigail and Erin Delaney. Online condolences may be made at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville was in charge of the arrangements.
BELMONT — Mercy Sister Mary Matthew Snow, 95, died Friday, March 31, 2017, at Marian Center, Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2017, in the Cardinal Gibbons Chapel of Sacred Heart Convent, Belmont. Interment will be at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.
Sister Mary Matthew was born March 20, 1922, in Fort Fairfield, Maine, the daughter of Benjamin and Fern Churchill Snow. Her parents and beloved siblings, Marie McClintock and William, are deceased.
She attended public schools in Maine and received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maine, a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a medical technology degree from Hunter Laboratory School of Medical Technology in Washington, D.C.
A Sister of Mercy for 62 years, she taught every grade except first. Included in her teaching career were Charlotte Catholic High School; Sacred Heart College, where she was dean of women; Belmont Abbey College; and the Catholic Orphanage of Nazareth in Raleigh.
She also ministered at St Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville and Mercy Hospital in Charlotte, where she was head of the School of Medical Technology.
On retirement from active ministry in health care, she volunteered teaching homeless children and adults to read.
As a Sister of Mercy, she chose for her motto simply “Jesus” and wrote that a turning point in her life was standing at the Sea of Galilee hearing Jesus ask her: “
Matt, do you love me?”
Sister Mary Matthew was a noted storyteller or known yarn spinner. She had a penchant for writing and her adventures were legendary, such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hot-air ballooning and hiking.
Her hobbies were numerous as well as artistic, and included woodcarving, weaving, gardening and playing the harmonica.
While known for her accomplishments, she is most remembered by and for her many loyal friends.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Belmont.
McLean Funeral Home of Belmont was in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald