Matthew Spence

Matthew J. Spence, 87, of Reading passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in Berks Heim Nursing Home.  Born in West Reading, he was the son of the late Ella May (Van Horn) and Clarence Spence.  Matthew was the loving husband to Peggy A. (Rapp) Spence, with whom he shared 65 years of marriage.  Matthew proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War as a Radio Technician.  He graduated from Reading High School, received his Bachelor’s degree from Kutztown State Teachers College, and his Master’s degree from Michigan State.  Matthew was a Biology Teacher for the Reading Public School District for 33 years before his retirement in 1991.  He was a former President of the Reading Education Association and Reading High sports fan.  Matthew created a homemade cannon with some others that he shot off at the football games whenever Reading High scored a touchdown.  He also loved the Chicago Bears.  Matthew was a naturalist who loved to take nature walks, look for rare bugs and flowers, and bird watch.  He was a member and former President of the Baird Ornithological Club.  Matthew never missed a Christmas Bird Count.  Classical music, especially Beethoven, was another love of Matthew’s.  He and Peggy enjoyed classical music concerts at the Rajah.

In addition to his wife, Peggy, Matthew is survived by his daughters, Ellyn Holder, of Bucks County, and Lynda Chapaprieta, wife of Thomas of Florida.  Also surviving are his grandchildren; Laura Holder, partner to Devon Culbreath, Abigale Sinkey, wife of William, Nadia Havlik, wife of Dhruva, and Ryan Holder, and his great grandchildren; Jayden, William, Ruby, Ava, and Canon.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 11:00 am in Bean Funeral Home, 1605 Rockland Street, Hampden Heights.  The family will receive friends and relatives on Saturday, October 23rd from 10:00 am to 11:00 am in Bean Funeral Home.  Interment will follow services at Forest Hills Memorial Park with Military Honors rendered by the United States Air Force.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in honor of Matthew Spence to Baird Ornithological Club, 129 Grecian Terrace, Sinking Spring, PA 19608 or the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.  Bean Funeral Homes, Hampden Heights is in charge arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.