Thursday, May 28, 2009

Lee A. Matthews

Sturtevant, WI -- Lee A. Matthews, age 78, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2009, at Kindred Hospital, Greenfield, WI. He was born in Milwaukee, WI, on September 8, 1930, son of the late Henry and Helen (Nee: Stronke) Matthews.

Lee was employed for 25 years at Allen Bradley Company and went on to own and operate Sturtevant Rework and Assembly for seven years. He then worked for the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development in Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha, retiring from Unified Solutions INC.

Lee was an accomplished musician and trombonist. He was an original member of the Allen Bradley Orchestra and Chorus and played for various other bands including the bands of Steve Swedish, Bob Stevens, Russ Roland, Ted Wayne, John Bunic, Chet Zientek, the West Allis Concert Band, the Racine Concert Band, the Kenosha Pops, the Wilson Knights, and Newman Senior Band among others. He belonged to the Milwaukee Musician’s Union and was looking forward to leading his band on top of a circus wagon at the upcoming circus parade as he had done for many years. Lee was a member of Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church, the Masons and the Shriners. He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his son, Doug and fiancé, Wendi Britton, and sons Derek and Dillon, all of Escanaba, MI; cousins, Helen (Rick) Fliss, Leslie (Robert) Osborn, Maryann Krepczynski, all of Milwaukee; and other relatives dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Edward.

A Memorial Service will be held at Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church, 1700 S. Green Bay Road, Racine, on Sunday, May 31, 2009, at 3 p.m. with Rev. Dave Echelbarger officiating. Private interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Sunday from 2 p.m. until time of service. Memorials to the Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church Youth Music Department have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the caregivers at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center and Kindred Hospital, Greenfield, WI.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888

1 comment:

S Pyne said...

I am sorry for your loss. My father, Gerald Pyne, also played for the Bob Stevens Orchestra -sax and clarinet - at the Wisconsin Roof (It closed in July, 1958.) So maybe Lee and my Dad did some gigs together. At any rate, it's sad when the world loses another accomplished musician.
- Sharon Pyne