William Matan

William M. Matan

"Bill" / "Beba"

Age 69 of Goose Lake, passed away unexpectedly on Friday June 26, 2009 at Morris Hospital.

Born August 17, 1939 in Gary, Indiana, Bill was a son of the late Joseph Anthony and Anna C. Kowal-Matan. He was raised and educated in Hobart, Indiana and was a graduate of Hobart High School with the Class of 1957. On June 23, 1957, Bill entered into the United States Army. He served at Fort Bragg prior to being honorably discharged upon the conclusion of his reserves obligation on May 21, 1963. On June 19, 1965 Bill married Karen Novak at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Lockport, and together they have lived in Goose Lake for over 30 years. Bill was a graduate of Joliet Junior College and the College of St. Francis. He was retired from Commonwealth Edison and co-owned Tree & Land, Inc. along with his wife Karen. Bill truly loved his family and cherished the time spent with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Karen; two daughters: Maryann (Ray) Provance of Morris and Julianne (Steve) Schoeling of New Lenox; three grandchildren: Joshua, Jade and Izak; one brother Joseph (Judith) Matan of Glen Park, Indiana; one sister Veronica (Joe) Talavera of Mesa, Arizona, and eight brothers and sisters-in-law: John (Jean) Novak, Richard Novak, Janice (Tony) Smrekar, Judith (Bob) Smrekar, Sharon (Michael) Daidone, Ken (Pat) Novak, Dave (Joey) Novak and Jerry (Kathy) Novak, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A casual celebration of Bill's life will be held on Saturday July 4, 2009, beginning at 2:00PM at 3255 Benson Road in Morris. All family and friends are invited to attend.

Inurnment will follow in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood on Thursday July 23, 2009 at 2:00PM - with full military honors provided by the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Honor Squad.

Preferred memorials in honor of Bill's grandson Joshua, may be made as gifts to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 500 N. Dearborn St., Suite 305, Chicago, IL 60654-3387 or www.jdrf.org.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd., 75 North Broadway in Coal City. (815/634-2125)