Colonel Albert "Matt" Hutmacher

Colonel Albert "Matt" Hutmacher, 76, of 2030 SE Wilmar Drive, Quincy, died June 27, 2017.

He was born Dec. 21, 1940, in Quincy, a son of Paul and Evelyn (Hollenstine) Hutmacher. He married Mary Heidbreder on Dec. 29, 1967. They were blessed with two children, Matthew and Gretchen, whom Matt was very proud of.

Matt was a 1958 graduate of Quincy Notre Dame, attended Quincy University from 1958 to 1960, was a 1962 graduate with honors of St. Louis University (bachelor of science), and he received a Juris Doctor from the School of Law at Northwestern University in 1965. He valued his education and was most fond of his time at SLU.

Matt served in the United States Army and Illinois Army National Guard. During the Vietnam War, he served 19 months in the United States and South Vietnam. He was stationed at Long Binh and Saigon with the 1st Signal Brigade and subsequently with the 126th Supply and Service Company (DS) National Guard Company at Chu Lai. Matt retired as Colonel after 26 years of service. In the spring of 2016, with his secretary as his Guardian, the 126th (also known as "The Hallmark Unit") traveled together on the Great River Honor Flight. His love for the men in his unit was fierce. He never truly retired -- he was always a proud soldier.

Matt led a quiet and respectable law practice that spanned 50 years. He partnered with many fine attorneys including the late Honorable Robert S. Hunter, James A. Rapp, the Honorable Thomas J. Ortbal, Bruce A. Alford and Terrence J. Anastas. Matt particularly enjoyed municipal law and drainage law. He served on the Ethics Committee of the Illinois Veterans Home and as a board member of the Lawyers Assistance Program. He was a recipient of the Liberty Bell Award and the Lawyer's Assistance Program President's Award. He was a Delegate to the successful Illinois Constitutional Convention from the 58th District in 1969 to 1970 and was a Republican Precinct Committeeman for many years. He was a kind and gentle boss and cared greatly for his clients.

Matt and his son completed two Chicago marathons and also visited Germany together. During his time as an Assistant State's Attorney, Matt met Jon Barnard. They became running partners; he was Matt's best friend. He enjoyed gardening, having coffee with his Notre Dame classmates and playing with his grandchildren. He loved fried chicken and cold beer. Matt was loyal, hard-working and meticulous, proud yet humble. He was a gentleman who served his country and his community; he satisfied the need, true to the 126th Unit motto.

He is survived by his wife, Mary (Heidbreder) Hutmacher; their daughter, Gretchen (Mike) Witiw; his sister, Virginia (Bill) Reichert; devoted secretary, Jessica (Kurtis) McCabe; two sisters-in-law, Martha Didriksen and Cheryl (Michael) Hulsen; and his daughter-in-law, Carrie Hutmacher. He will watch over six grandchildren, James and Ella Hutmacher, Clive and Benjamin Witiw, and Kooper and Marryn McCabe as well.

Matt was preceded in death by his parents; his niece, Cory Lovelace; his brother-in-law, John Didriksen; and his son, Matthew M. Hutmacher, who passed suddenly May 3, 2017.

SERVICES: 9:30 a.m. Monday, July 3, at Duker and Haugh Funeral Home, and 10 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church. A military burial will be in Woodland Cemetery.

VISITATION: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at Duker and Haugh Funeral Home.

MEMORIALS: The Great River Honor Flight or St. Rose Catholic Church.

ARRANGEMENTS: Duker and Haugh Funeral Home.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.