ROBERT WILLIAM MATSON

Robert William (Bob) Matson, 82, of Garrettsville, passed away peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his loving family on December 22, 2017.

Bob was born on November 14, 1935 in Akron to Ernest (Matt) and Annabelle (Washam) Matson and enjoyed a fulfilling and sometimes action packed life joining the Marines at the age of 17 where he served in Marine Recon reaching the rank of Sergeant before being honorable discharged in 1956. Bob came back to the Akron area to work at Goodyear Tire until he started college at The University of Akron. Bob studied industrial engineering, played football and met and married Lynne Guy while at Akron U. Bob worked setting up and managing several manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Texas. Bob enjoyed hunting, antiquing, public service and volunteering. Antiquing brought Bob together with his second wife Cindy (Cynthia Maggiore) Matson. Bob and Cindy traveled, antiqued, volunteered and enjoyed family and friends together for the last 10 years.

He served 31 years on Garrettsville Village Council and GFNFD Fire District Board. After retirement, Bob served for 14 years as a volunteer for Robinson (now UHPMC), a job he loved and kept him active and engaged until the final month of his life.

Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Lynne (Guy) Matson; granddaughter, Melana Matson; his mother, Annabelle; father, Ernest (Matt); and brother, Richard Matson.

Bob leaves behind many family members that will dearly miss him and benefited from his being in their lives. Bob's children, Michael Matson, Robin (Jeff) Perrotti. Mary Beth Matson, John Matson, grandchildren Robert Maxwell and McKenna Lynne Matson, Step Children Paul (Kathleen) Lytle, Sarah (Jason) Taylor and step-grandchildren Jeff and Kyle Perrotti, Angie (Perrotti) Crane, Louis Lytle and Vincent Lytle, Robert Taylor and Amelia Taylor.

Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2017 from 2-5 PM at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8382 Center St., Garrettsville, Ohio 44231. Memorial service will follow at 5PM at the funeral home with Dr. Michael E. Carlson officiating. Burial to be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2017, 11 AM at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road, Seville, Ohio 44273. PLEASE MEET AT THE CEMETERY.