After a well-lived earthly life of 99 years, our deeply loved and treasured Dad and Grandpa, Rev. Jack J. Matheis, was called “Home” by his loving Savior at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. As Dad took his final earthly breath, he was escorted across the threshold into Heaven by a host of Angels to meet his Lord Jesus, face to face. He was then welcomed by his wife Jean, his sons Jimmy and Rick, his grands Amanda and Brian, along with a host of other relatives, friends and all the saints before him.
Jack James Matheis was born on Aug. 5, 1924 in Cleveland Ohio to Karl Jack and Jacoba (Meyer) Matheis and grew up with 4 siblings. Jack lived and went to school in Cleveland, and at the age of 18, he enlisted in the Army Air Force where he trained to be a navigator on a B-24 bomber. On his last mission, injured by enemy fire, he was able to navigate his squadron safely back to their home base. Subsequently he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.
Jack married his home-town sweetheart Jean Herwerden; attended Calvin Seminary for his ministry degree; and had a family of seven children (Sandi, Jimmy, Tim, Rick, Nancy, Barb and Dan). His legacy includes 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Dad lived an exemplary life of bravery, commitment, faith, love and service as a navigator in the Army Air Force, as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church, as a Bible teacher in Christian Schools, and as a dedicated husband and father to his family. He served in areas of volunteer mission work, supported various charities that were dear to his heart, and mentored numerous individuals over the years with his insight and wisdom. A semi-professional artist he has numerous paintings to his name. He authored two fiction books and you could always catch him reading or writing. Dad was very musical and loved singing with mom and the family.
Jack, with his kind and gentle spirit, devoted his life to the God he served, to his wife he cherished, and to his family he deeply loved. He was a man of honor, humility and integrity who lived out his Christian faith in his home, church and community.
Matthew 25:23: And the Lord said to him – (Jack), “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord” Soli Deo Gloria.
A celebration of life service to be held at Second CRC in Lynden at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2023. A private family burial will be held prior to the memorial service at Monumenta cemetery. The service will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/GilliesFuneralHomeAndCremationServices.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory can be made to the Lighthouse Mission Ministries PO Box 548, Bellingham WA 98227. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
