John Matis Jr.
John Matis Jr., age 95, of Keene, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, surrounded by family. He was born on April 26, 1929, in Coshocton, Ohio, to the late John and Caroline (Kosci) Matis Sr. of Hungary.
John grew up with his family in Clowville and graduated from Coshocton High School in 1947. John then joined the United States Army and was based in Germany as part of the heavy artillery unit during the Korean War. He was especially proud to have taken an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to commemorate this service.
On January 30, 1959, he married the love of his life, Esther (Frank) Matis, at Grace United Methodist Church in Coshocton. Esther preceded him in death on October 25, 2023.
John worked at Edmont Manufacturing (Ansell-Edmont) and later retired from AEP (Originally Columbus Southern Power) after more than 30 years of service. During his time at AEP, John’s famous wiener soup was enjoyed as fast as it was made, joining the long list of beloved foods that included chicken paprikash and homemade maple syrup. John loved being with his family, traveling to numerous countries and 49 states, being outdoors, showing horses, gardening, finding 4 leaf clovers, fishing, hunting, and attending Hungarian Festivals. John enjoyed recreational scuba diving and also put his skills to use as a diver for the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Department and was part of the first recovery unit in Coshocton. John was a wonderful, award-winning baker and winemaker, and he enjoyed sharing his food and drink with others. John will be fondly remembered for his big heart, ornery grin, cracking jokes, and somehow knowing how to fix and build about anything.
John was confirmed as a Catholic at Sacred Heart and later attended the Trinity Episcopal Church with Esther.
He is survived by his two children, Tim (Sherri) Matis of Fresno and Jill (Paul) Linhares of Fredericktown, Ohio; four granddaughters, Molly Linhares, Morgan Matis, Emma Linhares, and Sydney Matis. John is also survived by several sisters and brothers-in-law, Richard (Barbara) Frank, Albert (Jane) Frank, Harold (Janet) Frank, Norma Jean (Bob) Shank, Harry Frank, Helen Theresa McConnell, Donald (Karen) Frank, and many nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents and wife, Esther, John is preceded in death by sister, Irene Guilliams, brother, Louis Matis, half-sisters, Julia Bostwick, Rose Bailey, and Elizabeth Elliott, and siblings-in-law, Larry Frank, Jim McConnell, Ernest Frank, and Donna Olinger.
Calling hours will be held on John’s birthday – Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Given-Dawson-Paisley Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home with Pastor Lloyd Tenney officiating. Burial will take place after the funeral at Coshocton County Memory Gardens with the Coshocton County Veterans Council Honor Guard conducting military honors.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made in John’s name to a food pantry of your choice to celebrate his love of sharing food with others.
An online memorial can be viewed at www.given-dawson-paisleyfh.com.
Category: Obituaries
