John "Jack" Mattes, Jr.

On Sunday, February 14, 2021, John “Jack” Ernest Mattes, Jr., loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away at the age of 77. Jack was born at home on February 5, 1944, in Collins, WI, to John Mattes, Sr. and Ida (Vallesky) Mattes.  He graduated from Valders High School Class of 1962. He graduated from Barbering School in May, 1965. Early in his career, Jack started barbering in Ripon and moved to Chilton shortly thereafter. In 1969, he moved to Hilbert and started Jack’s Barber Shop in both Hilbert and Collins, working the job he loved for 51 years, retiring in March, 2020. Jack was a faithful member of Ebenezer UCC in Chilton for 55 years.

On July 31, 1965, he married his soulmate and absolute love of his life, Judy Fischer. They raised three children, Diana (Dean) Schmitt of Hilbert, Rick (Kris) Mattes of Greenleaf and Sheri (Robert) Van Beek of Forest Junction. He had 8 grandchildren: Derek, Ashley, Karley, Alex (Brooke), Devon, Mason, Bobby and Aiden. He was a proud great-grandfather to Eli and Aubree. He also had several nieces and nephews. Jack was particularly fond of his special 4-legged companion, Buddy. Jack was the ultimate father and grandfather. He spent countless hours playing sports with his children and never missed a sporting event that his kids or grandchildren participated in.

Jack loved bowling, but his primary passion was hunting and fishing. He spent countless hours in the “squirrel woods” or casting for Northern Pike at the Collins dam. He also was one to never turn down a good rummy or sheepshead game. He mostly loved great conversation. He treasured the time spent with customers in his barber chair where he could talk about hunting, the weather, Brewers, Packers and all of the local high school sports. To sit in his barber chair, the evidence of his passion for hunting was all around. The walls were adorned with countless Whitetail antlers, turkey tail mounts, a single “wall-eye” and more bowling and archery trophies than he knew what to do with. Jack was a founding member of Rockea Hunting Club and a proud Honorary Lifetime Member.

He was known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. He was truly a human of infinite goodness. When anybody met Jack for the first time, they were an instant friend. He had the unique ability to see the good in anything and anybody. There was a place in his heart for everyone.

Jack is survived by his wife, Judy; their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Eugene Behnke and Mike (Becky) Fischer, mother-in-law, Irma Fischer and sisters-in-law, Barbara Cavert, Rhonda (Dave) Klessig and Julie (Gary) Fischer.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Ida Mattes, sister, Nancy Behnke, grandson, Derek Schmitt, father-in-law, Reuben Fischer, sister-in-law, Donna Fischer, and brother-in-law, Rob Cavert.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 18 ^th at Pielhop Wieting Funeral home, Brillion, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Friday, February 19 ^th , from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., with the funeral following at 10:45 a.m.  Officiating will be the Rev. Michael Safford Kennedy with burial at Brillion Community Cemetery.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the First Responders and the compassionate staff at Calumet Medical Center, Chilton.

To view Jack's Funeral Service, please click this link: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/RDWLY7L7KL723BMF