Gerhard Matzner Obituary

Gerhard Matzner

SAVOY – Gerhard Carl Matzner, age 95, of Savoy, Ill., and formerly of Charleston, Ill., passed on at The Carle Arbours in Savoy on Thursday, July 17, 2008.

Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 902 Cleveland Avenue in Charleston with Pastor Ken Hoover officiating. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the Services. At a later date services for Dr. Matzner will also be held in Stickney, S.D., where he will be laid to rest in St. Paul's Cemetery. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Adams Funeral Chapel.

Gerry, as he was affectionately known, was born in Stickney, S.D., on April 16, 1913, a son of Benjamin Carl and Sophie Rose (Tschirley) Matzner. He was united in marriage to Lois Genevieve Shouse on February 2, 1944 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Stickney.

Surviving family members include Lois, his loving wife and best friend for sixty-four years; three children, Kenneth Matzner and his wife, Anne Campbell, of Montpelier, Vt., Carol Stewart of Springfield, Ill., and Douglas Matzner and his wife, Diana Steele, of Champaign, Ill.; three grandchildren, John Stewart of Springfield, Jeff Stewart and his wife, LingLing, of Dayton, Ohio, and Connie Jagels and her husband, Michael, of Springfield; five great-grandchildren, Kyra Jagels, Darcy Jagels, Kaeli Stewart, Alexander Stewart and Kaitlyn Stewart; a sister, Marie Assmus of Stickney; and several nieces and nephews and their families. Gerry was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Adina Dethlefsen; and his two brothers, Arnold Matzner and Ervin Matzner.

Gerry received his bachelor's degree in English from Augustana College in 1937 and his master's Ddegree in education from the University of South Dakota in 1940. World War II interrupted his budding career as a public school teacher in South Dakota. From 1942  1945 Gerry courageously served his country as an interpreter in French and German and later as a liaison between the U.S. Army and the local German government during post-war reconstruction. Following his military service, he taught at Augustana College in South Dakota, spent two years as a school superintendent in Minnesota and continued his doctoral studies through Cornell University. Upon earning his Ph.D. in educational administration in 1951, Gerry became an assistant professor of education at Rutgers University. In 1955 he accepted a position at Eastern Illinois University as director of institutional studies and as a professor of education, where he remained until his retirement in 1983.

In addition to being named to Who's Who In American Education, Gerry's academic and professional memberships include Phi Kappa Phi, a collegiate honor society dedicated to the recognition and promotion of academic excellence; Phi Delta Kappa, an international association for professional educators; the National Conference of Professors of Educational Administration; the Illinois Education Association; the National Education Association; and the American Association of School Administrators. He also volunteered his time to AARP for seven years and to the Charleston Food Pantry as their treasurer.

Gerry's interest in religion and religious history created a firm foundation for his faith and a deep devotion to his church. He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, and upon locating to Charleston placed his membership with Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he served on numerous church boards and committees and was chairman of the board when the church built its new facility at its current location on Cleveland Avenue. He taught many Sunday school classes, including an adult Bible class at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mattoon.

He was the family historian and a voracious reader with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. His interests were numerous; he was a wonderful supporter of the arts and multiple charities, enjoyed listening to classical music, and was also fond of gardening.

In accordance with his wishes, Gerry's family requests that memorial gifts in his honor be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or to the Gerhard and Lois Matzner Global Church Leaders Scholarship Fund. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or services or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.


The publication in in the 21 July 2008 News-Gazette can be accessed by clicking here.