“Everything was sorted by hand when I began in the post office. Now, lots of it is done with automation,” Mathiowetz said. “There was a lot more heavy items in the mail too, like big phone books and Sears, Wards and J.C. Penney catalogs.”

He said the post office still handles a large amount of packages.

Mathiowetz worked his final day Friday, Sept. 29, completing 39 years service with sick leave with the post office.

His career took a roundabout way to the postal service.

Journal file photo by Tim Schultz New Ulm Post Office bulk mailing technician John Mathiowetz unloads a mail truck full of Christmas and post-Christmas mail in December, 1987.

The 1975 Comfrey High School graduate didn’t always work for the postal service.

After high school graduation, he studied auto mechanics at Mankato Technical College and worked at R. V. Anderson Chevrolet in St. James and Potter’s Westside Auto in Springfield. Mathiowetz also worked at Leavenworth Silage before returning to college, studying marketing at Southwest State University, Marshall.

He worked for NAPA Auto Parts stores, took the postal exam and began working at the Windom Post Office as a clerk and carrier in 1985. He was transferred to the New Ulm Post Office in 1986.

“The post office was better pay and benefits,” Mathiowetz said.

He worked as a bulk mail technician until 2009 when he began working in a detached mail unit at PGI Mailers in New Ulm.

“At their biggest year, they (PGI Mailers) had more than $20 million in postage,” Mathiowetz said.

He later returned to the New Ulm Post Office as a window clerk/retail associate.

His wife Cheryl began working as a paraprofessional at New Ulm Public Schools in 1986.

Mathiowetz said he plans to catch up on things he’s behind on at home on hobbies like working on his old cars, 1969 and 1970 Chevrolet Chevelles.

“It’s time to take it easier,” he added.

Mathiowetz earned high scores in the post office Mystery Shopper Program, implemented to improve the level and speed of customer service and generate revenue by ensuring customers are aware of the many postal services available. The program consists of lobby and retail employee observations.