Evelyn M. Matt

Evelyn Marie (née Hizer) Matt went home to be with the Lord on April 20, 2025, following a valiant struggle to recover from a serious stroke. Her mind and sense of humor remained sharp until the end, but her weakened body could not match her strength of spirit. Though the family mourns the loss of our dear Mom, Grandma, Grammy, Gram-Gram, Nana, Aunt, Great-Aunt, and friend, we rejoice in the knowledge that she is now at rest in the arms of her loving Savior Jesus Christ. In the providence of God, Evelyn began her earthly life on Good Friday in the year 1937 and entered into heavenly glory on Easter Sunday 2025. The time between those bookends was filled to the full with a life spent loving and serving her family, enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and solving the crossword and word search puzzles she loved so much. The youngest of nine children, Evelyn was born and raised in the Lemay area of St. Louis. She attended St. Andrew’s Catholic School and Hancock High School before marrying and raising a family in South St. Louis County. She also worked as a secretary for Ralston-Purina Company (now Nestle Purina PetCare Company) for more than 40 years until her retirement in 2002. After her marriage ended in the late 1980s, she lived for a time in Granite City, Illinois, then Glen Carbon, Illinois, and later Troy, Illinois, where she spent the last 20 years of her life. Anyone who knew Evelyn was immediately struck by her devotion to her family—to her 4 children and their spouses, whom she considered her “bonus children,” and to her 12 grandchildren and 11 “bonus grandchildren,” and her 20 great-grandchildren. Every one of them can testify to Evelyn’s lavish love for and generosity to them, and to the fact that no matter what was going on in their lives, she was always their biggest cheerleader. Each can testify to the many ways in which she taught them so much about life and love and simply being a kind and giving person. To understand the true legacy of Evelyn Matt, all one has to do is look at the long list of names of those children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and all the people whose lives they touch because of the life she led so graciously. Evelyn was preceded in death by her father, Lewis A. Hizer, her mother, Grace A. (Lowrey) Hizer, and her eight siblings: Herbert Hizer, Melba Van Damme, Eileen Lutton, Alfred Hizer, June Klamert, Betty Meyer, Lewis J. Hizer, and Patricia Moss. She is survived by her children Rick (Rebekah) Matt, Dan (Donna) Matt, Eileen (Don) Miller, and Jeanne (Ken) Krause; her grandchildren Michelle (Mark) Stanko, Danny (Melody) Matt, Scott (Jennifer) Miller, Amanda (Gabriel) Rhodes, Brian (Mandi) Miller, Theresa (Kyle) Becker, Justin (Bethany) Krause, David (Caroline) Matt, Ryan Krause (Nat Wilk), Sarah Jane (Ethan) Schrunk, Ethan Matt (Rachel Torres), and Tim Matt; and her great-grandchildren Jacob, Kayliana, Camilla, Annaleigh, Isaiah, Avery, Dawson, Ainsley, Judah, Ashlynn, Michiah, Chesney, Cole, Eloise, Sophia, Charlotte, Naomi, Harper, Amaiyah, and Bonnie; as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and former co-workers. Visitation will take place from 12 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, at Chapel Hill Mortuary, 10301 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122, with the memorial service starting at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery at the same location.

Evelyn M. Matt

March 26, 1937 - April 20, 2025