Wanda Ione Matson, age 99

February 18, 1922 - December 30, 2021

Wanda Ione Matson, age 99, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 7:42 PM – Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Helia Healthcare of Newton, Illinois surrounded by her family.

Funeral services celebrating Wanda's life will be held at 11:00 AM - Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois with her son Larry "Red" Matson and grandson Jay Huddleston officiating.  Burial will be at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois.  Visitation will be held 9:30-11:00 AM at the funeral home.  In loving memory of Wanda, memorials may be made to the Jasper County Senior Citizens Center.  The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com .

Wanda Ione was born on February 18, 1922, the daughter of John Franklin and Bessie Evelyn (Rooks) Wagner in Jasper County, Illinois.

She married Lloyd L. "Pete" Matson on March 3, 1938, in Jasper County, Illinois, and they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary just before his passing on May 4, 2013.  In 1952, Pete and Wanda bought their first home, a river bottom farm on Sweet Run, west of Rose Hill, Illinois, where they farmed for many years.

She had dreams of working in a big noisy factory, so in 1957, she and Pete went to work at ER Moore in Newton.  She was proud of her work as a flutter on church and graduation robes.  She worked for 28 years before retiring.  She enjoyed playing pinochle, quilting and making pillows for all the family.

She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Newton, Illinois.
Wanda is survived by:
2 Children – Larry G. "Red" (Barb) Matson of Newton, Illinois
James D. (Caroline) Matson of Newton, Illinois

10 Grandchildren – Joyce Ann Johnson, Jack (Sherry) Huddleston, Jr., Jay (Sherry) Huddleston, Jimi Thurman,  Danny (Cindi) Matson, Tom (Julie) Matson, David (Cheryl) Matson, Rob (Debbie) Matson, Mollie (Lee) Hart, Jamee (David) Mitchell
3 Sisters-in-laws – Neva June Bozen, Mary D. Waddell and Helen Matson

19 Great Grandchildren 21 Great Great Grandchildren

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Carol L. Thurman, son-in-law Larry Thurman, daughter-in-law Beverly Matson, granddaughter Joni Johnson, brother Lawrence Wagner, sister Juanita Gerth, half-brothers Russell Bond and Glen Bond.