John Henry Matthews
March 18th, 1930 - October 9th, 2023
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John's Obituary
John H. Matthews died at his home in South Haven, MI on October 9, 2023 under the care of his loving family, friends, and caregivers. John was born on March 18, 1930 in Chicago, IL to John and Catherine Matthews.
John grew up on Chicago’s South Side and attended Little Flower Grade School and was a proud graduate of Leo High School, where he was a member of the 1947 Catholic League Football Champions. John also attended Wilson Jr. College for two years.
In 1952, John was drafted into the United States Army and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1953. Upon graduation he was sent directly to the Far East, where he served as a Lieutenant in the First Cavalry Division and the 92nd Armored Field Artillery Batallion. In Korea, John returned to the United States in 1955 and proceeded to serve in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard for the next 31 years, retiring as a Colonel and Brigade Commander.
John’s civilian career began in 1949 with Armour & Co. and then progressed to the Studebaker Corp. where he served until drafted in 1952. Upon release from active duty, John joined 3M Company, where he served in various positions in both the Chicago area and in Hartford City, IN. During the next 25 years, John held numerous management positions for Watervliet Paper Co., Sincarbon S.A. in Mexico City, St. Regis Corp, Champion International, and ending his career with the Waldorf Corp. in 1992. In retirement, John formed a Property Management and Consulting Company, where he was active until 2008.
John married Audrey Shea in 1952 (deceased) and together they had four wonderful children, Mark (Vicki) of Coloma, MI, Robert (Jan) of Roanoke, TX, Terri (Madison) (Mike) of Ann Arbor, MI, and Susan (deceased). John is survived by his five grandchildren: Michael (Michele) and Thomas (Catherine) Matthews; Morgan and Michelle Madison, and Paige (Jeremy) Sinclair; and two great granddaughters Madeline and Korra as well as many nieces and nephews.
John married his good friend Mary Ann Sherman (now deceased) in 1992 in Palm Springs, CA. Together they spent many wonderful years together in their home in South Haven, MI, while enjoying world travel to Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, England, Ireland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, the Ukraine, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. Most winters were spent in Palm Springs or Honolulu.
John was also preceded in death by his parents, his brother Owen, and his sister Joan (Cook).
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023, at St. Basil Catholic Church, 513 Monroe Blvd, South Haven, Michigan 49090, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Fr. Richard Altine will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded at St. Basil Catholic Church. John will be laid to rest at North Shore Memory Gardens.
In leu of flowers please make donations to Caring Circle Hospice. To view John’s personal webpage please visit: www.starksfamilyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel- Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333
John grew up on Chicago’s South Side and attended Little Flower Grade School and was a proud graduate of Leo High School, where he was a member of the 1947 Catholic League Football Champions. John also attended Wilson Jr. College for two years.
In 1952, John was drafted into the United States Army and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1953. Upon graduation he was sent directly to the Far East, where he served as a Lieutenant in the First Cavalry Division and the 92nd Armored Field Artillery Batallion. In Korea, John returned to the United States in 1955 and proceeded to serve in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard for the next 31 years, retiring as a Colonel and Brigade Commander.
John’s civilian career began in 1949 with Armour & Co. and then progressed to the Studebaker Corp. where he served until drafted in 1952. Upon release from active duty, John joined 3M Company, where he served in various positions in both the Chicago area and in Hartford City, IN. During the next 25 years, John held numerous management positions for Watervliet Paper Co., Sincarbon S.A. in Mexico City, St. Regis Corp, Champion International, and ending his career with the Waldorf Corp. in 1992. In retirement, John formed a Property Management and Consulting Company, where he was active until 2008.
John married Audrey Shea in 1952 (deceased) and together they had four wonderful children, Mark (Vicki) of Coloma, MI, Robert (Jan) of Roanoke, TX, Terri (Madison) (Mike) of Ann Arbor, MI, and Susan (deceased). John is survived by his five grandchildren: Michael (Michele) and Thomas (Catherine) Matthews; Morgan and Michelle Madison, and Paige (Jeremy) Sinclair; and two great granddaughters Madeline and Korra as well as many nieces and nephews.
John married his good friend Mary Ann Sherman (now deceased) in 1992 in Palm Springs, CA. Together they spent many wonderful years together in their home in South Haven, MI, while enjoying world travel to Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, England, Ireland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, the Ukraine, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. Most winters were spent in Palm Springs or Honolulu.
John was also preceded in death by his parents, his brother Owen, and his sister Joan (Cook).
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023, at St. Basil Catholic Church, 513 Monroe Blvd, South Haven, Michigan 49090, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Fr. Richard Altine will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded at St. Basil Catholic Church. John will be laid to rest at North Shore Memory Gardens.
In leu of flowers please make donations to Caring Circle Hospice. To view John’s personal webpage please visit: www.starksfamilyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel- Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333
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