John Morris Matsen

John M. Matsen, age 89 years, of Bernards Township, Somerset County, NJ, died on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ.

Born in Neenah, WI on May 30, 1936, he was the son of the late Bertha Rowena Witt and Morris Matsen.

John had formerly resided in Clinton Township, NJ for fifty-five years, before moving to the Fellowship Village retirement community in Bernards Township, NJ.

A chemical engineer, John was a graduate of Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, and received his master’s degree and doctorate from Columbia University, New York, NY.

He spent his entire thirty-five-year career at Exxon Research & Engineering, Florham Park, NJ, retiring in 1997. After retirement, he spent several years as a visiting scientist at Lehigh University.

Active in the community, John spent 36 years on either the Clinton Township planning board or board of adjustment as well as nine years on township council.

He was a former trustee and secretary of the Hunterdon County Historical Society. He also was a volunteer archivist for the Society.

Surviving are his wife of fifty-four years, Sandra (Schwartz) Matsen; two brothers, David Matsen, of Middletown, DE, and James Matsen of Carbondale, CO; seven nieces and nephews; as well as twelve great-nieces and great-nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the Zion Lutheran Church, 56 Old Turnpike Road, Oldwick, NJ 08858. Interment will follow in the church’s memorial garden.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hunterdon County Historical Society, 114 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822 or Princeton University Annual Giving, P.O. Box 5357, Princeton, NJ 08543.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.