Susan Irene Devecka Simatic, aged 93 years, of Jefferson passed away peacefully on June 24, 2024, with family by her side. She was born October 17, 1930, in Fredericktown, PA, daughter of the late John M. and Mary Slabej Devecka; sister of John, Olga, Laddie, Max, Peter, Bohus, Bertha, Edward and David, all who preceded her.
Mrs. Simatic was a ’48 graduate of East Bethlehem Township High School. She was proud to say that when her youngest brother graduated, the ceremony paused to announce that he concluded the most siblings in a family to ever graduate from there.
On June 28, 1952, Susan married Walter (Lud) Simatic, who died on September 22, 2016; they were married for 64 years.
She was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Carmichaels and enjoyed being on the church council, as well as participating in the sewing/mission circle for many years.
Susan enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, keeping them fed with warm soups and freshly baked cookies. She loved her grandchildren and always had a ready smile for her great-grandchildren. She and Walter hosted her family reunion for 67 years.
Susan and her husband owned and operated Jefferson Hotel for 18 years. Some of her favorite memories and joys in life were working at Knight’s Market. She enjoyed cutting coupons to share and send to our military overseas, concerts, game shows, polkas, baking and sharing cookies, word searches, Senior Citizens’ weekly gatherings and enjoying an ice-cold Coke.
Surviving are two sons, Joseph (Susan) and Walter (Sandra) Simatic, both of Jefferson; five grandchildren, Gregory Simatic, Laura Lemley (Thomas), Amber Simatic Hemming (Brandon), Ashley Wise (Ryan) and Thomas Simatic (Lee); four great-grandsons, Nicholas, Maxwell and Grant Wise and Joseph Lemley; a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Lemley; and many nieces and nephews.
A special thank you is expressed to Personal Care at Evergreen, Waynesburg and OSPTA Hospice for their tremendous professionalism and care.
Friends and family will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Behm Funeral Home, Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, PA 15344, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 224 S. Market St., Carmichaels, PA 15320, with Ray Dittenhafer officiating, followed by burial in Greene Co. Memorial Park, Waynesburg. Condolences may be expressed online at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.
