Howard Matthies

Howard Herbert Matthies, 90, of Burton, died Feb. 4, 2003, in Trinity Medical Center in Brenham with his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter by his side. Mr. Matthies was born on December 5, 1912, in the La Bahia community, near Burton. He was the fourth child of Ernst Theodore and Ida Emma Krause Matthies. He was baptized on March 2, 1913, by the Rev. Karl Mueller and was confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Greenvine on April 1, 1926, by the Rev. Carl Ziehe. He attended Boundary School, Brenham High School, Blinn College and Sam Houston State University to prepare for a teaching career. Mr. Matthies played on the La Bahia baseball team and lettered in basketball. On January 12, 1936, Mr. Matthies was married to Olefa Louise Koerth, daughter of Gustav Adolph and Emma Stroech Koerth, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Greenvine by the Rev. Cal Ziehe. He was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Mr. Matthies served on the church council many times, taught Sunday school, was Sunday school superintendent and also taught adult Bible class. He was fire chief of the Burton Fire Department for 25 years and was a member of the fire department for 60 years. He was presented with two plaques for his continuous dedicated service and was honorary chief at the time of his death. He was instrumental in getting city water to Burton. He served as director and secretary. In 1968-1969, he was selected by the Burton Lions Club as Man of the Year. He was president of Central Texas Fireman s Association from 1968-1969 and brought the convention to Burton in 1969. He was an honorary member of the Future Farmers of American in 1976. He was selected as Washington County s Outstanding Older Citizen of the Year in 1983. He was a director of Germania Mutual Insurance Company for several years, was president of Local #12 and completed his 55th year as a member in 2002. Howard and Olefa were both members of the Heritage Society of Burton. He was a director of Operation Restoration Burton Cotton Gin and Museum, retiring in 1998. In 1995 he was awarded the Emeritus Member and took pride in doing tours in English and German. His picture was on the front page of The Houston Chronicle s Texas Magazine on November 15, 1992. He was also written about in Texas Highways, Insite, Heritage and From Can See Can t Texas Cotton Farmers on Southern Plains. Before going into business with his wife, Mr. Matthies taught at Hohenwalde School for seven years. Howard and his wife owned and operated Matthies Grocery in Burton for over 46 years. His family was a very important part of his life. He is survived by his daughter, Jeraldine Jerri and her husband Glenn Linke of Houston; granddaughter Jan and her husband Brian Rickmers of Cypress; great-grandchildren, Madeline Lea Maddie Rickmers and Mason Glen Rickmers of Cypress. He is also survived by his sister, Olita Prenzler of Brenham and Felba Schatz and her husband Otto of Rosenberg; sister-in-law, Bertha Koerth of Brenham and Johanna Matthies of Beasley. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Almuth Matthies, Lothar Matthies and Weldon Matthies; sisters, Elva Matthies Muehlbrad and Virgel Matthies; nephew, David Matthies; and numerous sisters and brothers-in-law. The funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 7 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Greenvine with Pastor Pamela Werrell officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive visitors at Foehner Funeral Home from 5:30-7:30 p.m. today. Pallbearers will be Tommy Matthies, Gene Thaler, Glenwood Prenzler, Darrell Matthies, Elroy Schatz, Lyndon Schatz, Marvin Hertel and Dale Matthies. Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis and Leslie Wood, Gerri Watson, Harry and Penny Van Woert, Frank and Pat Schoener, Betty and Russell Honerkamp, the Charles Chovanec family and Wilbert Knebel. Memorials may be given to the Burton Cotton Gin and Museum, the Burton Fire Department or Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Greenvine. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Foehner Funeral Home in Burton.