Obituary for Charles Albert Matthiessen

Charles Albert Matthiessen

April 23, 1933 – December 12, 2017

Charles Albert “Al” Matthiessen, Jr passed away on December 12, 2017 at his home in Ponca City. Al was born in Philadelphia, PA on April 23, 1933 to his parents, Charles Albert Matthiessen, Sr. and Anna Mae (Turvey) Matthiessen. Al grew up in Medford, NJ and after graduating high school, served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.

Al and Earlene began their life together in Medford, NJ. The couple met in Ponca City while he was stationed at Ft. Riley, KS and had their first date at Wentz Pool in Ponca City. He built their first home in Medford, NJ and worked in Philadelphia, PA for SKF as a ball bearing inspector. Al drove a school bus and church bus for many years. He enjoyed playing baseball until he turned 40 and moved his family to Ponca City in 1972. At this time, he became involved with Ponca City Jr. Baseball and Dan Moran Park where he spent 30+ years coaching and umpiring. Al spent 30 years working for Ponca City Schools driving the bus and taking the students to all of their activities: band, football, and baseball. He also worked over 30 years as the head custodian for West Jr. High from 1975-1993. He was a friend to everyone he met. In his spare time, Al was a man of faith and dedicated many summers to mowing the yard for Foursquare Church. He also loved to take his friends and grandsons canoeing down the river. Al loved taking his friends and grandsons to watch his favorite baseball team the Phillies. He was known as a jack-of-all-trades and would help anyone who asked. He loved to tell funny stories (some were true) and make people laugh. Al and his wife Earlene enjoyed many years bowling together on Friday nights Jack and Jill league at Ponca Bowl.

Al was preceded in death by his wife, Earlene Matthiessen, his parents, sister, Anna Mae Matthiessen Atkinson, and nephew, “Chucky” Atkinson.

Al is survived by his four children: Debbie Matthiessen Ivie and husband Randall of Spokane, MO, Janice Matthiessen Horton Hernandez and husband Jeff of Ponca City, Sandra Matthiessen of Wagoner, OK, and James (Jay) Matthiessen and wife Michelle of Ponca City, niece, Linda Atkinson Fowler. Grandchildren, Major Jacob Ivie, USAF and Odie currently stationed in Italy, Tiffany Ivie Orthman and husband Dave of Spokane, MO, Joanna Ivie Ellis of Springfield, MO, Brent Horton of Ponca City, Josh Horton of Ponca City, Miranda Horton of Ponca City, Jeremy Humble of Winfield, KS, James Matthiessen of Broken Arrow, OK, Austin Matthiessen and wife Shevelle of Del City, OK, and numerous great-grandchildren.

A funeral ceremony to remember a great man will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at the Ponca City Church, 700 W. Broadway Ave. in Ponca City. Friends and family may visit Al at Trout Funeral Home & Crematory on Thursday, December 14, 2017 from 5-8 p.m. and on Friday, December 15, 2017 from 8-8 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory in Ponca City.

May make donations to Hospice of North Central Ok, 445 Fairview Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601, or Ponca City (Foursquare) Church, 700 W. Broadway Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home