Submitted by: S. Vanden Bossche

Elkhart Truth – March 24, 2011

RICHARD L. MATCHETTE

COLUMBUS -- Richard L. "Dick" Matchette, 85, of Kennesaw Court, passed from his earthly body into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 22, 2011, at Hospice of South Central Indiana.

Dick was born Feb. 3, 1926, in Mishawaka, the fourth of six children of Ted and Myrtle Matchette, who preceded him in death.

Dick served in the U.S. Army infantry during World War II, in Europe and Asia. He was a member of Community Church of Columbus and will be remembered for being a strong "Prayer Warrior" for many people.

He and Helen Lundberg were married in Boone, Iowa, on June 15, 1947.

Dick is survived by his wife, Helen, and four children, Julie (Mike) Wider of Bristol, Rick (Sandra) Matchette of Elkhart, Nancy (Randy) Johnson of Elkhart and Janice Matchette of Columbus. He also had seven grandchildren, Mindy (Jamie) Higginson, Matthew Matchette, Lisa (Greg) Foy, Cindy (Jason) Miller, Amy Jo (Matt) Miller, Jennifer (Ryan) Batchelor and Katie Beth Matchette. The joy of his life were his 20 great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Tyler, Brooks, Allie Jo and Devin Higginson, Nathan, Abby, Catelyn and Madison Foy, Jacob, Andrew and Joseph Miller,rady, Ellison, Ridge, Hudson, Anders and Caylor Batchelor and Jackson and Zoey Miller. He is also survived by a sister, Mary Gunter of Elkhart; brothers Dale Matchette of Fort Wayne and Darrell (Betty) Matchette of North Carolina; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

It was Dick's wish to leave his earthly remains to medical science.

Celebrations of his life and love of Jesus will be at Community Church of Columbus at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, 2011, and at 2 p.m. Monday, March 28, 2011, at McCoy Memorial Baptist Church in Elkhart.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Community Church of Columbus Building Fund, 38 50 N. Marr Road, Columbus, IN 47203 or Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 E. 17th St., Columbus, IN 47201.