John William Matz Jr. Feb 28, 1927 – Feb 4, 2026

John William Matz Jr, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on February 4. He is predeceased by Jane, his wife of 71 years, who passed in 2022. Surviving family are his sister Marjorie Henning, daughter Barbara, son John (Terry Griffin), and grandson Charlie.

John was born and raised on Long Island, New York, then served in the Navy in the latter years of WWII, stationed in Corpus Christi TX and repairing radios. Following his service, he lived in eastern Pennsylvania while attending Lehigh University and for several years after graduation and after marrying Jane. They moved to Michigan in 1953 and lived in the Detroit suburbs of Royal Oak and Southfield, before settling into Farmington Hills. In 1969 he and Bob Peterson formed Peterson & Matz, Inc., to sell water treatment equipment – a business that still thrives today.

In 1989, following his retirement, John and Jane purchased land on Traverse City's Mission Peninsula and built a timber frame home that they occupied for 37 years. They made the most of their new home: gardening, sailing, and enjoying many beach fires in the evening.

John was an avid golfer all his life, from age 16 to 97, and played on his high school and college golf teams. After moving to Traverse City, he became an enthusiastic dahlia grower; when he moved from his home in 2025, most of his dahlia tubers were rehomed with various friends.

He became a rockhound in 1964 and then learned lapidary and silversmithing, activities that he enjoyed with his family. For many years, John and Jane spent the month of March traveling to west Texas and back, camping and rockhounding along the way. They were members of the Roamin [rockhound] Club in Livonia, then Grand Traverse Rock and Mineral Club in Traverse City. Both John and Jane served in various positions within the club, and John taught silversmithing to many of its members. They are also remembered for more than 20 years of hosting the club's annual picnic at their home.

John did everything with enthusiasm and thoroughly enjoyed his long life. He made many friends along the way, all of whom will miss him greatly.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Emily Ann Griffin Foundation, 15587 Blue Skies, Livonia MI 48154 or via their donation page: https://eagf.org/donation-form/ .

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with John's family at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.