Joseph Henry Matthews Sr.

Joseph Henry Matthews, Sr. was born August 21, 1957 in Rome, MS to Willie Matthews Sr. and Dearest Dale Matthews.  He was the youngest child born to this union.

Joseph who was affectionately called Joe. He spent his early childhood in New Orleans, Louisiana and later relocated with the family to Michigan City, IN where he graduated from Elston Senior High School. On September 26, 1974 he joined the United States Navy and completed his basic training at the United States Naval Station in San Diego, CA. He received an honorable discharge on July 19,1977 after serving in Yokosuka, Japan where he received the National Defense Service Medal.

In the Early morning hours on Thursday, July 9, 2020, God whispered into Joseph’s ear and said “Come unto me and lay your head upon my breast and I will give you eternal rest”. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dearest Dale Matthews, Grandparents, John and Mamie Dale, Nelson and Corrine Anderson; one stepbrother, Willie Cliff; eleven uncles, John Dale, Henry Dale, Walter Dale, J.W. Dale, Elijah Potts, Bobby Anderson, Nelson Anderson, Fletcher Anderson, Jack Anderson, Joseph Sanders, and James Anderson; four aunts, Mary Milton, Lillian Jackson, Ella Rae Dale, and Bertha Dale; lifelong friend, and brother in Christ, Joseph Lee Hales; Godmother, Ms. Orelia Hales; Cousins, Patricia Mayhue, Willie Berry and Felecia Berry.

Joseph leaves to cherish his memory, Father Willie (Mary) Matthews Sr, two sons, Joseph Matthews Jr. of Michigan City, IN and Messiah Matthews of Portland, OR; three grandsons, Josiah, Tristan and Joseph all of Michigan City, Indiana; seven brothers, Willie Matthews (Ginger) Jr of Portland, Oregon, Thomas Matthews of Michigan City, IN, Bishop John (Inga) Matthews, Milton (Carolyn) Matthews and WC Hollis all of Saint Louis MO, Rickey Matthews of East St. Louis, IL and the Rev. Charles (Lasonja) Matthews of Horn Lake, MS; four sisters, Corrine Matthews of Kansas City, KS, Shirley (Marvin) Morris of Gary, IN, Geraldine (Micah) Graves of Michigan City, IN, Clara Matthews of East St. Louis, IL; one aunt Lizzie Campbell of St. Louis, MO and three uncles, Frank Anderson of St. Louis, MO, Jack Dale of Oklahoma City, OK and William (Ruth) Dale of Chicago, IL. 

Joseph also leaves to mourn his passing beloved nieces: Mona (Renaldo) Martin of Kansas City, KS, Delores (Lanon) Edwards of Portage, IN, DeeMikle (John) Samuels, Shawanda Matthews, Danise Lewis, Joann Banks all of Michigan City, IN, Ginger Matthews, Shawntia (Demetrius) Otero and Tina Reid all of Portland OR, Candice Washington of Clarksdale, MS and Tiffany Matthews of New Orleans Louisiana; beloved nephews: Herman (Sharon) Washington and Mondrell Harris both of Chicago, IL., James Matthews Of Michigan City, IN, Gerjuan (Roxanne) Ford of Davenport, IA, Demon (Paraskevi) Dennison of Viernheim, Germany, Marvin (Maria) Morris Jr. of Portage, IN, John Reed Jr. of Lima, Ohio and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be 11:00am, Saturday, July 25, 2020 at Coleman & Hicks Chapel with Rev. Charles Matthews to give the eulogy. Viewing will be 10am, Saturday, July 25, 2020 at Coleman & Hicks Chapel. The family request the CDC guidelines with social distancing and facial masks are mandated to be worn. Burial will take place at 1:00pm, Monday, July 27, 2020 at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

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