Karl Drago Matesić

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution please consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Karl Drago Matesić, age 91, of Linden, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2026.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Chapel of the Holy Innocents at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St., Fenton, with Fr. Robert Copeland celebrant. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM on Friday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also take place at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass. A committal service will be held 10AM Monday, March 9 at New Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Flint. The family will be meeting at the funeral home at 9AM Monday to go in procession. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution please consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A luncheon will immediately follow the Mass.

Karl was born on June 13, 1935, in Restovo, Croatia, his given name, Drago. He was the son of Janko and Dragica (Novosel) Matesić. In 1960, he married Amelia Ljubica Kozar in Zakanje, Croatia, beginning a loving partnership that spanned 65 years.

Karl was a strong, intelligent, and highly skilled man whose talents extended far beyond his career in skilled trades at General Motors. He built homes, was an award-winning winemaker, and found great joy in singing and Croatian folk dancing. A licensed pilot with a deep passion for aviation, he was happiest around airplanes. He was also known as an exceptional barbecue chef, bringing family and friends together around his table. Karl lived by the belief that with the right mindset, determination and hard work, anything is possible, a lesson he instilled in his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Amelia Ljubica Matesić; his daughter, Goldy (Joe) Fehir; his son, John (Holly) Matesić; grandchildren, Brynn Fehir, Joseph (Kerrigan Conner) Fehir, Brandon (Elizabeth) Matesić, and Kara Matesić; great-grandchildren, Kali and Ava Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Philip, Mike, Joe, Steve, and Zlatko Matesić; and his sisters, Barbara Ivanic, Vika Matesić, and Dragica Jaksic.

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com