The Rev. John J. Mattson, 77, of Morris, formerly of Downers Grove, died on Wednesday morning, Dec. 30, 2020, at his home.
A private family visitation and service will be held Saturday, Jan. 2. Those wishing to participate in the services virtually may do so, beginning at 2 p.m. at www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/RevJohn-Mattson. Cremation rites will be accorded, and inurnment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Morris at a later date. Reeves and Baskerville Funeral Homes in Morris is assisting the family.
Rev. Mattson was born April 4, 1943, in Chicago, to Arthur E. and Ramona (Rostochil) Mattson. He married Nancy M. Hawkinson at the United Methodist Church of West Pullman in Chicago, and she survives.
He was raised and educated in Downers Grove, graduating from Downers Grove High School with the class of 1962. Following high school, he enlisted into the U.S. Army, and honorably served from 1963 to 1966, of which during that time he was stationed in England.
Following his discharge, Rev. Mattson married his wife and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Illinois in Chicago and later his master’s in business administration from Benedictine University in Lisle.
He began a career with Advocate Healthcare Corporate Office, where he worked in computer programming and information systems for 15 years. During those years, he followed his call to ministry and earned his master’s in divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Hyde Park. He then went on to pastor for the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Montezuma and Clinton, IN, from 2000 until his retirement in 2009.
Rev. Mattson and his wife relocated to Morris to be closer to family, and there became active with the First Presbyterian Church of Morris, where he continued to be an active and dedicated member.
He was also a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Downers Grove Lodge, and in past years belonged to the DuPage Valley Barbershop Chorus. In addition to barbershop singing, he enjoyed singing in the church choir, bowling on a league, traveling and camping.
Rev. Mattson coached little league baseball when his boys were young, and served as a Boy Scout leader. The family shared many memorable trips to the national parks, and he took pleasure in playing games, especially Cribbage, Sudoku and Bridge.
One who never had an unkind word about anyone, he was the light and the joy of his family.
In addition to his wife of 51 years, Rev. Mattson is survived by his two sons, John A. Mattson of Oswego and David (Erin) Mattson of Taylor Springs; six grandchildren, Ashley and Tyler of Oswego and Anne, Joe, Sally and Mark of Taylor Springs; two brothers, Arthur (Angela) Mattson of Orange, CA, and Robert Mattson of Calara, AL; brother-in-law, Bob Mladic of Morris; three sisters-in-law, Alice Kramarz of Lockport, Ellen (James) Rossi of Oak Forest and Janet (Jeffery) Monahan of Midlothian; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Erna; brother, Alan Mattson; sister, Nancy Mladic; brothers-in-law, Robert (Suzette) Hawkinson and Edward Kramarz; and sister-in-law, Theresa Mattson.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/RevJohn-Mattson.
