Phil Matz, 91

Phillip Henry Matz Jr., age 91, of LaGrange, passed away Sunday afternoon, Dec. 16, 2018, at the Valley View Health Care Center in Elkhart.
He was born Dec. 9, 1927, in Mishawaka, son of the late Phillip and Ida (Steinke) Matz, Sr.
Phil resided in LaGrange since 1994 coming from Sturgis.
On July 3, 1949, he married Mary Weiss in South Bend.
Phil was involved in building construction management and sales for many years. He and Mary owned and operated Timberly Christmas Tree Farm and Gun Shop in Sturgis for 22 years retiring in 1994.
He was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Wolcottville, Ind., and a former longtime member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis.
Phil was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. At the age of just 17 he joined the Merchant Marines. Phil was a life member of the St. Joseph County Conservation & Sportsman Club. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved playing cards.
He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 69 years: Mary; one daughter: Janet Hutchinson of Sturgis; one son: James (Mary Ann) Matz of Three Rivers; nine grandchildren: Nathan Hutchinson of Kingwood, Texas, Jason Hutchinson of Sturgis, Molly Perez of Sturgis, Aaron Hutchinson of Vicksburg, Derek Hutchinson of Fargo, ND, Sarah Jones of Anchorage, AK, Kristie Donohue of Allen Park, Mich., Joshua Matz of Sturgis and Tony Matz of Sturgis; 20 great-grandchildren; one sister: Betty Kluge of South Bend, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son: Conrad P. Matz; one great granddaughter; three sisters: Isabelle Wolf, Nola Dielman and Charlotte Schnaible; and one infant brother, Harley Matz.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331. Full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. The family will also receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 2955 E 700 S, Wolcottville, IN 46795 where a memorial service celebrating and honoring the life of Phillip H. Matz, Jr. will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29. The Rev. Jason A. Reed will officiate. A time of continued fellowship and the sharing of a meal will follow the memorial service in the church fellowship hall. Private burial of the ashes will take place at the Posey Chapel Cemetery in La Porte, Ind., at a later date.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donations be directed to the Great Lakes Caring Hospice, 5155 Verdant Dr., Elkhart, IN 46516 or Worship Anew, 5 Martin Luther Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46825 or Messiah Lutheran Church, 2955 E 700 S, Wolcottville, IN 46795.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.