John Matson Obituary

Matson, John
John E. Matson of Bethany entered the presence of his dear Lord on Saturday November 17th at Griffin Hospital, Derby, with his loving family gathered around him. He leaves Jean, his beloved wife of 66 years, and his seven children: Mary Beth (Jim) Benson of Auburn, MA; Dr. Priscilla (David) Benner of Pennsburg, PA; Ray (Barbara) Matson of Prospect; Joel Matson of Bethany; Naomi (Jeffrey) Murdoch of Hinkley, IL; Ruth Cole of Spinnerstown, PA; and Julia (Kent) Christensen of Falls Church, VA. He took special joy in his role as grandpa to his 21 grandchildren: James Benson, Jr, Elizabeth Tahaney, Michelle Stanton, Maureen Dani, John Benson, Ethan Benner, Jason Benner, Anna Hellmann, Christine Dixon, Emily Benner, Thomas Matson, Joseph Matson, John Matson II, Steve Matson, Daniel Matson, Bethany Akers, Cynthia Giere, Julia Cole, Benjamin Cole, Jeremy Christensen and Amber Christensen. He was the loving great-grandpa of 14, one of whom, Nora Myers, predeceased him. Mr. Matson is survived by his brother Thomas Matto on Fairfield, and his sisters, Susan Brown of Fairfield, Josephine Leclair of Seminole,FL and Sylvia Ferrante of Trumbull, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Theresa Matto, and his brothers Frank Matto, Charles Matto and Lawrence Matto. Mr. Matson was born March 13, 1924 to the late Frank and Theresa Matto in Bridgeport, CT. He was a proud veteran of World War II, serving as a gunnery instructor on B-17's. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1953 and attended the former Berkeley Divinity School in New Haven. He had several careers, including owning a painting company and Matson Design Service. He was a licensed professional engineer, and designed and supervised the construction of many churches. He was the founder and pastor of the Valley Chapel of Bethany. He also was a co-founder of the Christian radio station WIHS in Middletown. His recent endeavors have been the Ten Commandments project, and working for other political, religious and justice causes. Mr. Matson's greatest delight was in his role as patriarch of his family, encouraging their Christian service. A service of memorial and celebration of Mr. Matson's life will be held on Saturday, November 24th at 11 AM at the Seymour United Methodist Church, 90 Pearl St, where he attended for many years, followed by a luncheon reception at the church. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to MAMA Project. 2781A Geryville Pike, Pennsburg, PA 18073, a relief organization in Honduras dear to his heart.

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Published by Connecticut Post from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for John Matson

4 Entries

Cindy Shaboo

November 20, 2022

My heart lead me to look up Mr. and Mrs. Matson as its been many decades since I was them. I ran into Mr. Matson in Seymour decades ago while we both had a breakfast meal at Different tables. He saw me and came over to thank me for a deed that took place many years before. He was a Great Soul and is dancing in the heavens with hi bride once again ~ Cindy Shaboo

Vikki Ronnau

November 24, 2012

From a young age, I was taught to attend every Sunday mass to receive the word of the Lord. As a child, I never looked forward to a cycle of standing, sitting, and kneeling for an hour, for that was what going to church meant to me- a routine, a hassle I had to go through every Sunday- because I had yet to understand the true meaning of Christianity and what it meant to have faith.
I don't remember how I landed at the Matson's door, around 1972, I can tell you being involved with the whole family helped me find the Lord. I enjoyed the Friday nights out with Ray, Barbara, Naomi, Joel, Ruthie and all of us involved in the youth program back then.
While it is difficult to measure the impact that each person in my life has had on me, it is easy to say Mr. Matson greatly influenced me and shaped me into the person I am today.
My deepest condolences to all of you, your family and friends.
Vikki Corcoran Ronnau

November 22, 2012

With loving thoughts. Jim and Brandi Pond

John L. Hyman

November 22, 2012

To the Matson family, My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead. I know that God will embrace you and comfort you during this time of sorrow, and what a precious thought to know that Christians never see each other for the last time. Because of what Mr. Matson told me about Jesus and later after reading in The Gospel of John the third chapter I understood what he was trying to tell me and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Many years later when I was back in Ct to preach at a Church in New Haven, I stopped in unannounced to vist Mr. and Mrs. Matson and tell them how I had trusted Jesus as my Saviour and how He had so changed my life. If not for the Ministry of this man of God and his precious wife, my name may never have been written down in the Lamb's Book of Life.Thank you Mr. Matson for telling me the best news I ever heard in my life. Lord I ask in the name of Jesus that you would embrace the Matson family at this time of sorrow and give them comfort, peace, and strength to face the day, as only you can. Lord I love this family and I thank you for their unselfish desire to see others come to Christ. Father please Bless them in a very special way, that they will feel your presence as you go through this time of sorrow with them, I ask it in the name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen In HIS Grip, Brother John L. Hyman Formerly of Seymour, Ct.

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