Raymond Matlock

Raymond Matlock, 67 year old resident of Pierz, MN, passed away Friday, August 21, 2009 at his residence. A Mass of Christian Burial for Ray Matlock will be at 10:30 AM Monday, August 24, 2009 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding, MN with Father David Maciej officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Harding. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM Sunday, August 23 at Shelley-Virnig Funeral Chapel in Pierz and from 9:30 to 10:30 AM Monday at the church. Holy Name Society will pray the rosary at 4:30 PM, Pierz Knights of Columbus Office of the Dead Service at 7 PM, and Parish Prayers at 7:30 PM on Sunday. Military honors will be provided by Little Falls V.F.W. Post #1112. Raymond Joseph Matlock was born on August 31, 1941 in Platte Township, MN to the late Joseph and Susan (Direcks) Matlock. He grew up and helped work on the family farm. Ray graduated from Pierz High School in 1959. He enlisted in the US Army in 1960, and was stationed in West Berlin, Germany, guarding the Berlin Wall. Ray returned home after being honorably discharged in 1962 and continued farming. Ray was united in marriage to Bonnie Dumprope on April 20, 1968 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding. Together they settled on the family farm in Platte Township and continued to run it until Ray retired in 2008 due to declining health. His son now works the farm. Ray was always a good provider for his family. He was considered an outstanding farmer and a good steward of his land, which he kept track of while riding around on his 4-wheeler. Ray enjoyed visiting with family and friends and especially spending time with his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all. Ray was a longtime member of Holy Cross Church, Holy Name Society, Platte Township Board, Pierz Knights of Columbus Council # 3982, and a lifetime member of Little Falls V.F.W. Post #1112. Ray is survived by his beloved wife Bonnie; sons, Robert (Sherrie) Matlock, and Ryan (Nancy) Matlock, both of Pierz; daughter, Brenda (Gregg) Bleeker of Pierz; sisters, Dorothy (Ray) Banick of Belle Prairie Township, MN, Louise Matlock of Little Falls, MN, Shirley Schommer of Elk River, MN, Bernice (Richard) Rutten of Sauk Rapids, MN, Marcella Heinz of Little Falls, Caroline Zak, of Little Falls, and Eleanor Emery of St. Joseph, MN; 8 grandchildren and 4 step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Josephine Matlock. Casketbearers will be Gary Matlock, Gregg Matlock, Adam Freitag, Tom Brisk, Tim Brisk, and Jerome Heinz.

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Raymond Matlock

August 31, 1941 - August 21, 2009