Arthur A. Matje, 84, of Park View, died peacefully Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by family.
Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove. Burial was in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island with military honors. Visitation was held Monday, Sept. 29, from 4 until 6 p.m. at St. Ann’s, with additional visitation Tuesday from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lions Club International, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, or the Long Grove Volunteer Fire Department.
Arthur Alan Matje was born on Dec. 21, 1940, in Bellevue, son of Arthur August and Arlene Mae (Dieckman) Matje. He attended Augustana College in Rock Island and then Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Art proudly served our country in the Army from 1963 until 1965.
Art was united in marriage to Susanne Van De Kerckhove on Aug. 15, 1964, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island. They have shared over 61 years of marriage and memories.
Art served our community as a licensed funeral director until his retirement in 2000. Starting at DeRoo Funeral Home and then spent 26 years at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home. Following his retirement, he assisted at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, and drove for W&H Livery Service.
Art’s service to our community continued his involvement with many local organizations. He was a Past President of the Eldridge Lions Club and served two separate terms as District Governor in 2010-2011 and 2018-2019. His service to the Lions earned him the Bud Klise Award from the Iowa Lions and he was also a Melvin Jones Fellow. Art was also active in the Knights of Columbus serving as a Past Grand Knight of Leo Council #716 in Moline/East Moline and later joined Loras Council #532 and as a 4th Degree member of Loras General Assembly. Art served two terms on the North Scott School Board and was on the Long Grove Volunteer Fire Department for many years.
As busy as Art was, he never missed an opportunity to take in his boys’ games and activities, most nights sitting in the stands with his pager on his belt, knowing he may be called away to serve another family facing a loss. He enjoyed playing guitar and traveling to camp and fish with his family.
Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Susanne, Park View; sons and their spouses: Christopher (Rhonda) Matje, Donahue, Craig (Diane) Matje, Davenport, and Arthur “Artie” (Tammy) Matje, Frisco, Texas; grandchildren: Nick (Amy Holland) Matje, Donahue, Mitch (Brittany) Matje, Eldridge, Zoe (Daniel) Killian, Spring Hill, Kan., Mary Kathryn Matje, Shawnee Mission, Kan., Christian (Hailey Bartels) Kansas City, Kan., Dakota Matje, Chicago, Quincy (Nana) Hardin, Olathe, Kan., Trey Hardin, Frisco, Texas, Blake Nelson, and Brent (Michelle) Nelson; great-grandchildren: Drake, Sophia, Wyatt, Everleigh, Eleanor, Ember, Jackson, and Ryder; a sister, Carol Nass, Clinton; sister-in-law, Sharon Corken, Orion, Ill.; brother-in-law Richard Van De Kerckhove, Coal Valley, Ill.; special family David and Joan Claussen; special friend Judy Kirby; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Cary Matje, his parents, a sister and brothers-in-law, Laurel and Roger Petrick, Volker Nass, Thomas Van De Kerckhove, and Patrick Corken. May they rest in peace.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
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