Mack Daniel Mattingly, 85, passed away on January 1, 2023, his 85th birthday, in Hardinsburg, KY. He was born on January 1, 1938 in Hardinsburg, the first son of Taylor and Anita Mattingly. Mack graduated from St. Romuald High School in 1956, after which he served four years in the United States Navy and was a proud veteran. After military discharge, he attended Brescia University in Owensboro, KY receiving his B.A. degree in History. He later attended the University of Kentucky graduate school working toward a Masters degree in History with plans to teach history on a college level. His plans changed dramatically with the death of his father when he returned to Breckinridge County to purchase the family grocery business started by his father in 1937. Later Mack and his wife Dolores, developed New Town Shopping Center, with Houchens Food Industries as the anchor store. He then became manager of Houchens Market for 27 years.
Mack was an avid reader, often having two or three books going at the same time. He never lost his love of history and could give you dates and facts up to the day he died. He worked crossword puzzles every day of his life and listened to classical music every day of his life. Mack had a quick sense of wit and found humor in most situations. His favorite greeting was “Top of the morning to you”. One of his favorite hobbies was feeding the birds and he grieved when his health prevented him from keeping the bird feeder filled. Mack’s favorite place to travel was to his back deck. In 1959, Mack married Dolores Bland with whom he would have celebrated 65 years of marriage on January 24, 2023. When asked the secret to a long marriage, he always quickly answered “say yes dear”.
Mack was a life long member of St. Romuald Catholic Church, where he for many years served as Lector, proclaiming Holy Scriptures at Mass. He served on the Parish Council and St. Romuald Interparochial School Board. He also served on the Breckinridge County Library Board and was past president of the Hardinsburg Rotary Club.
Mack was preceded in death by his parents, Taylor and Anita Mattingly; parents-in-law, Tilford and Louise Bland; a son, Bryan Taylor Mattingly; a daughter, Lori Mattingly Shaw; a sister and brother-in-law; Mary Anita and Philip Whitworth.
He is survived by his wife, Dolores; daughter and son-in-law, Stacey and Jim Oliva; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Adair Mattingly; a brother and sister-in-law, Phill and Arlene Mattingly; five grandsons, Alex and Austin Oliva, Sam, Luke and Gabe Mattingly; three granddaughters, Susan and Lillie Shaw and Taylor Oliva; one great granddaughter, Charlotte Oliva.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Romuald Catholic Church on Friday, January 6, 2022 at 11 AM with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at Trent-Dowell Funeral Home on Thursday, 2:30 – 7 PM and Friday, 8 – 10:30 AM. A prayer service and sharing of memories will be held on Thursday at 6 PM. All times are central.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Romuald School or Breckinridge Health Foundation.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mack Daniel Mattingly, please visit our floral store.