Shirley D. Mattes (85) of Vandalia

Shirley D. (Black) Mattes, born March 5, 1935 in rural Loogootee, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 9, 2020.

Shirley was the daughter of Simon Fredric (Fred) and Jennie Ruth (Lash) Black. She graduated from Brownstown Community High School in 1952 and married Elvis Henry (Hank) Mattes. Shirley had a storied life with Hank, from wife of the Fayette County Sheriff and living in the Jail for 4 years to Army wife spending 10 years in Germany where they traveled extensively, camping in foreign countries such as Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Lichtenstein. She bravely took on everything that came along with the travel life, including shipping the family VW camper from Germany to the US as well as two dogs and a cat, criss-crossing the US with 3 teenagers, the two dogs, cat and a duck! Upon her return to rural Loogootee after Hank’s passing in December, 1972, Shirley earned her Associates Degree from Lakeland College and worked as a legal secretary for many years for Judge Steve Seymour and later Charles Young Law office.

Shirley is predeceased by her parents, husband, brother Dennis G. Black and beloved Granddaughter Amy Lovell.

She is survived by her brother Dale (Donna) Black and sister Sharon “Dolly” (Ken) Lawler, her 3 children, Max L. (Linda) Mattes, Elvis D. Mattes and Lisa M. (Mark) Owen, beloved Grandsons Mack Owen, Jacob Mattes and Michael Owen, and her sweet Great-granddaughter Jessica Marie Amy Wilson, as well as two nephews and several great-nephews & nieces.

Shirley was always strong in her Christian beliefs and affiliated with the First Christian Church, attending Arm Prairie Christian Church, Macedonia, and Northside Christian Church. She was involved in many organizations in the Effingham, Brownstown and Vandalia communities: Effingham Co Humane Shelter, Ballard Nature Center, Effingham Art Guild, Brownstown Library, Btown Class of 52 Reunion Group, Fayette Co Genealogical & Historical Society, National Historic (Route 40) Road Association of Illinois, and the Illinois Audubon Society. Shirley delighted in many things, famous in her family for the delightful letters her pets would write to Amy, giving books to random children at the laundromat, bird watching, drawing and painting, writing poetry and letters to friends and family, gardening, playing the piano and singing, bluegrass festivals, family gatherings with her brothers pickin’ guitars, hiking her farm and woods with dogs, kids and grandkids, and she never met a cat that she didn’t take, be it willing or not, to be spayed or neutered. She will be sorely missed by her loved ones.

Private family graveside services will be held at German Reform Cemetery, rural Loogootee at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2020. Memorials may be made to Effingham County Humane Shelter and the Ballard Nature Center. Gieseking Funeral Home, Brownstown is assisting the family with arrangements.

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