Wanda I. Matson (99) of Newton

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Published on December 31 2021 8:37 am

Wanda I. Matson, age 99, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 7:42 PM Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Helia Healthcare of Newton.

Funeral services celebrating Wanda’s life will be held at 11:00 AM - Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois with her son Larry “Red” Matson and grandson Jay Huddleston officiating. Burial will be at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held 9:30-11:00 AM at the funeral home. In loving memory of Wanda, memorials may be made to the Jasper County Senior Citizens Center. 

Wanda Ione Matson was born on February 18, 1922, the daughter of John Franklin and Bessie Evelyn (Rooks) Wagner in Jasper County, Illinois.

She married Lloyd L. “Pete” Matson on March 3, 1938 in Jasper County, Illinois and they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary just before his passing on May 4, 2013. In 1952 Pete and Wanda bought their first home, a river bottom farm on Sweet Run, west of Rose Hill, Illinois, where they farmed for many years. 

She had dreams of working in a big noisy factory, in 1957 she and Pete went to work at ER More in Newton. She was proud of her work as a fluter on church and graduation robes. She worked for 28 years before retiring. She enjoyed playing pinochle, quilting and making pillows for all the family.    

She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Newton, Illinois.

Wanda is survived by:2 Children – Larry G. “Red” (Barb) Matson of Newton, Illinois, James D. (Caroline) Matson of Newton, Illinois, 10 Grandchildren – Joyce Ann Johnson, Jack (Sherry) Huddleston, Jr., Jay (Sherry) Huddleston, Jimi Thurman,  Danny (Cindi) Matson, Tom (Julie) Matson, David (Cheryl) Matson, Rob (Debbie) Matson, Mollie (Lee) Hart, Jamee (David) Mitchell, 3 Sisters-in-laws – Neva June Bozen, Mary D. Waddell, Helen Matson,19 Great Grandchildren, and 21 Great Great Grandchildren.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Carol L. Thurman, son-in-law Larry Thurman, granddaughter Joni Johnson, brother Lawrence Wagner, sister Juanita Gerth, half-brothers Russell Bond and Glen Bond.

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