John Willis Matters 1857 - 1940

MATTERS, MORAIN, RANDAU, BUTTERFIELD

Posted By: Linda H. Meyers (email)
Date: 7/26/2008 at 19:56:55

JOHN WILLIS MATTERS
John Willis Matters was born in Pau Pau, Michigan, in 1857 and died at Champaign, Ill., Sept. 17 at the age of 83 years, five months and 30 days. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Matters and oldest of seven children. He was married to Eva Jane Morain, Feb. 14, 1894 who proceeded him in death on Dec. 6, 1906 and was buried in the Pleasant Grove cemetery where he was laid to rest. To this union were born two sons, William John and Harold H. of Ames.
He was a well known farmer of Milford township for 30 years and loved by one and all who knew him for his fine character and good deeds. In living his life, his one thought was helping others instead of himself, as in the instance of taking into his home a niece Mrs. W. F. Randau, after the death of her mother in Illinois and who lived with him several years.
He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Methodist church for many years and attended the homecoming there Sept. 8, 1940 and enjoyed meeting many old friends and neighbors. He will be greatly missed in this community as his life was a Christian service to the end. The last few years he spent much of his time in Illinois with relatives.
He is survived besides the two sons, by one sister, Mrs. Mary Butterfield and a brother J. E. Matters of Champaign, Ill., 11 grandchildren, a niece, Mrs. W. F. Randau of Audubon, other relatives and a host of friends.

---from the Ames Tribune 6/21/1940