IGNATIUS MATTHEW ARKO
1929 - 2017

Born in Pasadena, CA on December 17, 1929. He died October 15, 2017 at his home in Santa Maria, CA. He is one of eight children, four siblings and parents predeceased.

He attended schools in Pasadena and during his childhood served Masses as a young boy and especially enjoyed serving Bishop McGuigan of the L.A. Diocese. He entered the seminary at the age of 14 in Los Angeles. Matt was there for two years.

After coming out of seminary he joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years: going to Japan, Guam and Hawaii. After his four years, he entered Muir Jr. College in Pasadena and went on to graduate from Cal State Los Angeles with a B.S. in Accounting. He became a licensed Certified Public Accountant while working at the firm of Windes and Mccalary. Later he opened his own office in Newport, California. He retired from owning his office and went into being a controller for several companies.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Altadena, Ca. joining at the age of 24. During the ensuing years he achieved the status of 4th Degree Knight. Served many offices, including Grand Knight.

In approximately 1960, he joined the National Exchange Club in Newport Beach. He was a member for 50 years. He served as President twice and made many friends during his association with the Club. At the time of his death, he remained a member of both the Knights and the Exchange Club. At his funeral, a chalice will be presented by the Knights and he wishes the chalice to go to the Order of the Josephites for their missionary priests of their Order overseas.

He married MaryLou Taggart in 1954, living in Costa Mesa, Ca. During the marriage, they had five children: Bill (deceased), Greg, Sharon (deceased), Michele and Carmel. They reside in Irvine, Ca.

In the year 2000, he married a longtime friend, Judyth Markey, at St. Louis De Montfort Church and came to live in Santa Maria. Matt became a very active member in the Knights of Columbus of Santa Maria, serving as Treasurer of the club, as well as the Columbian Club. He volunteered for all the years prior to his death as Treasurer of the Elwin Mussell Senior Center and was a helper to the Community Partners in Caring doing paperwork and helping various people with their taxes.

He and Judy traveled quite a bit, going to Alaska, Canada, Hawaii and many more locations, joining the Seniors many times.

Matt was preceded in death by his older brothers, Frank and John, his sister Teresa, his daughter Sharon, his son Bill, and first wife, MaryLou.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Markey Arko, two daughters, Michele Arko and her husband David Wilson; Carmel Arko and husband, Marco Galli; and Greg Arko, his son; two grandsons, six granddaughters, his brother Bob and wife Dolores, brother Leo and wife Dottie, sister Betty Arko; brother-in-law, Jack Whelan and sister-in-law Betty Arko.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be 6:00 P.M. on Monday, October 23, 2017 in the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at St. Louis deMontfort Church, interment will follow in the original section of the Santa Maria Cemetery. A reception will be held after the graveside service at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Lincoln Street.

Matt would like to be remembered as a person who loved his God and the Blessed Mother very much and looked back on his days of serving Mass with much fondness. This love was transferred in small part to his wife, Judy, of (17 years). We know with a certainty that he is happy now with the God he served so well.

A special thanks to his daughter Michele Arko, step-son Pat Markey and Hospice for their fine and compassionate care during his illness.

Source: Magner-Maloney Funeral Home