The passing of John Mateyko (Rattler 21)

Condolences to his family and friends.  I wondered why I hadn't seen him here for a couple of months.  Usually he has something posted in For-Sale pretty regularly.

Sad to hear. My condolences to his family.

I had purchased a train item from John on the OGR buy/sell board. I will always remember his kindness and fairness and honesty and integrity. He will be missed. Rest In Peace.

John

I met John many times at the monthly DuPage Train Show. Always a good guy and when he learned we were both on OGR!! Truly a good person. RIP Rattler...

My condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.

Peter

Sorry to hear of this; Over the last few years, I had purchased parts from John, and our dealings were always pleasant. This is a big loss for our hobby.

RIP

Sorry to hear this. I remember he helped me find a certain truck I needed for a K-line coal car.

Brad

GRJ, I had wondered the same thing as it seemed he dropped out awhile back. I remember he was selling off a goodly part off his collection as he was planning a new layout. Great guy, we used to swap jokes and stories offline. This is a good lesson to all of us - keep in touch with your friends !   I never had the pleasure to meet him either, my loss...

John was dismantling his Santa Fe themed layout and planning on building a diorama for his later years,  I acquired several buildings off the layout from him a year ago and was warmly welcomed by him and his wife when picking them up.  His health was obviously fragile, but he kept up a productive dialog on all sales matters and checked in with me to see if I had any interest in his remaining items.  A good guy who will be missed.  I'll remember him as I place those buildings on my layout and try to replicate the "life" that they and his modeling skills achieved.

And my condolences to his family, too.

A few years ago, I visited John at his home basement layout during an event he hosted for hobbyists. Later, I bought a special box car (with décor of a Continental Mk II classic car because I owned that actual car). He favored the South Shore RR and modeled it on his layout. He created several REA trucks and placed them on the layout. He created Santa Fe cars, including an unusual Commissary Car (for storing dining car supplies while the train was travelling its route).

His wife provided artwork for the layout, and they worked as a team. They were great ambassadors for "the world's greatest hobby."

If there's an O-gauge layout in heaven, John is surely at work on it now.  But if not, he'll create one.

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394

Sorry to hear this,may he Rest In Peace.

Norm

John’s handle, “Rattler 21”, was from his ‘Nam Huey pilot days as an Army Aviator. We shared more than trains…

Rest well Rattler, may the “Sound of Freedom” thunder through Heaven for John.

I met John and his wife when the NKP 765 came to Chicago for a fan trip. The four of us sat together at a table inside NYC's Hickory Creek observation car. Had a wonderful friendship with them,  been over to his house running trains many times. When my son came in from Oklahoma he would invite us over for a run date. They were gracious hosts, both having their share of medical issues.

For those who didn't know,  John's OGR signon was his call name from his military days. John flew helicopters in the Vietnam War and "Rattler21" was his call sign. According to his biography he attained the rank of Major in the United States Air Force and was a test pilot. I talked with his wife after his passing and his remains will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Very sorry to hear this.  May he rest in peace.

George

Sorry to hear of another loss to our OGR family. Always remember to be kind to one another and make sure if constructive criticism is offered it is done tactfully with helpful suggestions.  Your comment may be the last one we see. You never know what any of us are going through and if we will be fortunate enough to return another day. RIP Rattler21.

Dave

Such sad news, Our condolence goes out to his family and friends. It is always a sad when we lose a ORG member with such amazing knowledge. RIP

This is sad news.  He was a true gentleman and I always enjoyed his posts.

I never met John but purchased many many die cast trucks from him  Very nice guy   My condolences go out to his family

Sorry to hear this. My condolences to his friends & family.

May God be with them.

Sorry to read this. I knew John only through a purchase I made from him exchanged emails and seemed like a great guy.

RIP Rattler21. Sounds like he was a great guy!

I too have purchased items from John over the years. My condolences to his family.

Sorry to learn of John's passing.  I used to love visiting with him at the DuPage train show.  He was passionate about his train hobby.  Interesting to learn where his OGR handle came from.  Prayers for his family.

Art

My condolences to John’s family. He was one of the first vendors I purchased from on the O Gauge forum. I also asked about his forum name and always keep him as a friend with respect for his service. Rest in peace Rattler21.

JohnB

@86TA355SR posted:

John’s handle, “Rattler 21”, was from his ‘Nam Huey pilot days as an Army Aviator. We shared more than trains…

Rest well Rattler, may the “Sound of Freedom” thunder through Heaven for John.

Thank you both for your sacrifice and service all of those decades ago.

Both of you.....and all of those who served in S.E. Asia....were heroes.  Most were never thanked properly.

Beers up to both you!!

@John Meyncke posted:

I will always remember his kindness and fairness and honesty and integrity. He will be missed. Rest In Peace.

John

Can't give a better compliment, in my book.  May we all strive for this in our time above ground....and may this be said about us after we are gone.

Wow. This very sad news.  The last time I attended the Chicago Meet in 2021, he had the table next to me and he was such a gentleman.  We talked about all kinds of things and made for such an enjoyable time.

For those of you so inclined, I noted that John’s family requested donations in his name to Tunnel to Towers, a wonderful charity, founded after 9/11. t2t.org is the website. They have an A+ rating from Charity Navigator, which assures you that your donation is not going into someone's pocket, like kars for kids. I have made, and encourage you to make, a modest donation in John’s name.