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January 14, 2010
Obituary

WILLIAM MATLACK, passed away January 14, 2010

WILLIAM C. S. MATLACK, 82, a native of S. Florida passed away 1/14/2010. He was predeceased by his wife, Doris M. Matlack & survived by his daughter Claudia Braund (Jim), & stepchildren JoAnn Scheidt (John) and Jerry Baliukas (Kelley) in addition to grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a teacher & administrator in the Dade Co. school system. Navy recruiting, and airport ambassador. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Disease, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780. The viewing and memorial service will be held on Mon. Jan 18th at Fred Hunter Funeral Home, 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood, FL 33024. Viewing is from 10am - Noon, Service follows at Noon. View this Guest Book at www. MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.

April 3rd, 2008
Obituary

LT. COL. NEIL HARRIS BEHRENS, passed away March 22, 2008



BEHRENS, LT. COL. NEIL HARRIS, of Coral Gables passed away on March 22, 2008. Neil was born in Greenwood, Wisconsin (population 559) and spent his early days on the family dairy farm. After graduating from the nearby high school, he enrolled in the U. of Wisconsin. With the outbreak of WWII, he enlisted in the Air Force. After many phases of training, he was checked out to fly a B-17. Once his crew was formed, he piloted his new B-17, via Goose Bay, Labrador, and then to Iceland. Due to the horrible weather, and after several attempts, Neil and his crew were finally able to make the flight across the North Atlantic and land in England where they joined the 96th Bomb Group.
Berlin was the target for Neil's 5th mission on May 9, 1944. En route to the target, he discovered a problem with his plane's fuel transfer valve. Mr. Fixit Neil crawled back to the bomb bay area to try to adjust it. The plane was now over Madgeburg and it was soon hit by German flak and fighters. This created a much more serious situation. Fortunately, the bomb bay doors were open and with the plane experiencing strong "Gs " he, along with one of the gunners, was dumped unceremoniously through the open doors before the plane exploded.
On landing, he was soon captured and shipped off to Dulagluft for interrogation. In his cell he noticed a message under the board pillow that said "Lift the panel" and other instructions in Morse code. Neil pried away one of the panels and was surprised to find a peephole in the wall that opened onto the next-door interrogation room. He could now see and listen in on the conversations taking place with other prisoners.
His journey then continued with the trip to Stalag Luft III, then the winter evacuation to Nuremberg ahead of the Russian advance. In April, with the Allies closing in on central Germany, another march began that headed south to another prison camp. Enroute, with Germany now all but defeated, Neil and many other POW's began to wander off across the countryside in search of food. The SS was not too happy with these meanderings and executed some of the straying captives. Neil rejoined the safety of a group of British prisoners who were also being herded south to Moosberg where he eventually found his own group. Finally, on April 29, 1945, General Patton and his army came through the area and liberated the camp.
Off to Paris, now free of the Germans, Neil received a new wardrobe, but unfortunately he came down with a stomach virus that prevented him from enjoying the delights in the liberated city.
While at Camp Lucky Strike, the port of embarkation for U.S. bound servicemen, General Eisenhower visited the camp and complimented Neil and the assembled EXPOW's on a job well done.
On boarding the homeward bound ship, Neil was offered a bunk in one of the officers' cabins that he gladly accepted. Little did he know that in so doing, he would be in charge of the ship's mess line and that required almost 24/7 duty to supervise the operation. At least it was better than sleeping on the bunks in the ship's hold.
After his R&R, Neil signed on for reserve duty and then reenrolled in the U. of Wisconsin where he received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Criminology. He then went on to North Carolina State University where he received his Master's degree in Occupational Information and Guidance. Neil ultimately moved to Miami and got a job as Superintendent of Youth Hall. He then joined the Dade County school system where he taught science, social studies, biology, math and more. He also became a guidance counselor. Neil stayed with the the school system and also taught classes at the Air Reserve Center and attended the Air Force Command and Staff School.
In 1980, he finally retired. His delight had been in tinkering with automobile engines and other mechanical objects. He was a member of the Coral Gables Country Club.
He is predeceased by his son, Frank and 8 of his siblings. He is survived by his wife, Marie; his children, Claudia Porter (Alan), William Behrens and Karl Behrens (Heidi); 6 granddaughters, 1 great granddaughter and 4 sisters.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, 4/3/08 at 1 PM at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1400 Miller Rd., Coral Gables. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Gold Coast Chapter American Ex-POWs, 19450 NE 21 Court, Miami, FL 33179.
Stanfill Funeral Home
10545 S Dixie (305)667-2518
Family Owned/Operated
www.stanfillfh.com
To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.
Published in The Miami Herald on 3/30/2008.

February 5th, 2008
Obituary

PAULA MARGOTTA, passed away February 1st, 2008
MARGOTTA, PAULA, 56, resident of Pembroke Pines, FL, passed away on Feb. 1, 2008 due to a long term illness. Born in New Rochelle, NY, loving daughter of Antoinette DeFillippo and Angelo Margotta, stepdaughter of Anthony DeFillippo, niece of Virginia Marciano, sister of Vincent (Rose) Margotta, stepsister Carol (Wayne) Harbor, aunt of Angie and Billy Margotta, godmother of Donna Turnarkin, Amanda Lindley and Summer Wylie. Best friend of Jeannie Bumgarner. She is loved and cherished by many friends and family. Paula's memory will live in our hearts forever! Family will receive friends Wed. (tomorrow) 6-8 P.M. with Prayer Service at 7:00 P.M. at Cofer-Kolski-Combs Funeral Home, 10931 N.E. 6th Avenue, Miami. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thurs. 10 A.M. at St. James Catholic Church with entombment to follow at Southern Memorial Park Cemetery. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries. Published in The Miami Herald on 2/5/2008.

September 5, 2007
Obituary