The People of Lippert-Olson Funeral Home
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John J. Mattila
"In my Fathers house there are many rooms, if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." John 14:2
The beloved John J. Mattila, 81, of 2245 N. 28th Street, Sheboygan, joyfully entered His Fathers "prepared" eternal place on Saturday afternoon, April 12, 2008 at the Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center. His wonderful journey began while surrounded by family members and his pastor.
Born April 20, 1926 in Ely, MN, he was the son of the late John J. Mattila and Cecelia L. (Hlacher) Mattila. John enlisted in the Navy in 1943. While early in his service career, he pursued his formal education and received a Chemical Engineering Degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1948. At this monumental time in his life, John was united in marriage to his "college sweetheart" and "love of his life" - Hattie Henkelmann. They were married in Woodruff, WI on June 20, 1948. At that time, he had already been "recruited" by the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation. John has spent his entire working career in the company's gas business.
Initially serving WPS in Green Bay in numerous capacities for 25 years - he was titled "Green Bay Superintendent" in 1966. After another major promotion he relocated with family to Sheboygan. From 1974 until retirement in 1991-John was the WPS Sheboygan Division Manager. Throughout his employment with the gas company John continued with his dedicated military duties/service. He served in the U.S. Navy during the WW II and the Korean War. He retired as a full commander from the Naval Reserve in 1974.
John was extremely active in area service and professional organizations. For over 47 years he had a perfect attendance record with the Kiwanis Club and served as President in Green Bay and Sheboygan Clubs. John was an active member of the Lakeshore-Sunrise Kiwanis Club and served on its Board of Directors. He was a registered professional engineer, and a past member of the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce. He had also been on the Board of Directors of the Sheboygan Development Corp.
John was very active with the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, held numerous church offices and served on many committees. Music, and singing bass - one of the greatest joys in John's life- was fulfilled through membership in the church choir for over 25 years. His amazing voice and musical talents not only filled the church with glorious songs of praise it extended beyond church walls. John was an enthusiastic member of the Chorus of Kettles Barbershop Group out of Plymouth, WI. For over 25 years, singing bass, telling humorous anecdotes and skit performances, brought out the "entertainer" in the "businessman".
John was once quoted in saying "I was born with a canoe paddle in one hand and a fishing pole in the other." He was an avid fisherman all of his life, never refusing a charter boat invitation. On dry land he loved to play cribbage, and always played a "sharp" hand of bridge with his favorite bridge partner, Hattie. They were members of the Shoreline Bridge Marathon Group for over 25 enjoyable years.
Another "Love" John and Hattie avidly shared together were the Green Bay Packers. Having lived in Green Bay for over 26 years, they boasted of "perfect home game attendance" for 10 of them. Next to each other, even the December 1967 Ice Bowl Game wasn't the cold one.
After retirement, John's most recent venture had been that of "golf pro". He loved the game, cold weather no deterrent. Golf, with the "Good Ol' Boys" was always a welcome challenge that held no boundaries. A walking cane just made the golf games a little more interesting. . . . .
John is now joyously reunited in glory with Hattie his loving wife of 57 years.
He is survived by his son, John W. Mattila and his daughter, Kaimi, of Huxley, IA, his son James M. (Beatrice) Mattila, of Sheboygan and his daughter Jennifer S. (Jason) Mattila Paasch of Sheboygan. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Susan Mattila; two nieces, Caroline Mattila and Cecelia Mattila and one nephew Johnny Mattila all of Sengal, West Africa; numerous "dear friends"; other relatives and uncountable business "buddies". Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, William Mattila.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 19, 2008, at The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 3027 Wilgus Ave., with the Rev. Bryan Osladil, pastor, officiating. Relatives and friends are welcome at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will be in Lutheran Cemetery with full military honors.
A memorial fund has been established in his name.
A sincere and appreciative "Thank You" is due to the Doctors and nursing staff of Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center. Your patience, understanding and medical support was amazing. A "Spirit Filled Thank You" as well goes to Rev. Guy Marshall and Chaplain Ellen Wheeler. Your faith and support were a true God send in our time of distress. Finally, a loving "thank you" to Dick Warden and Bill and Donna Bierwirth and Pastor Osladil, fear family friends whom have no idea how much we love and appreciate them, "Just being there."
"Lord, you chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest! Every moment you know where I am. "Psalm 139"
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