Major Matthew C. Masem

Matthew C. Masem, 101, of Rock Island passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Silver Cross Nursing Center, Rock Island.

Private services are to be held and burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Memorials may be made in care of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or US Department of Veterans Affairs. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island is assisting the family.

Matthew was born on February 7, 1922 to Mathias C. and Magdalena (Rainer) Masem in Brooklyn, New York. He married Nancy Sammartano on December 7, 1941.  After graduating from Xavier High School, Matthew enlisted in the United States Army and began his career in the military. He earned many awards during his tenure, including a WWII Victory Medal; and a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal for heroic action in Saipan for his service in the Korean War.

In 1958, Matthew received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the American International College and in 1970 earned a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. In 1978, he retired, receiving a Certificate of Retirement from the United States Army for his 37 years of faithful service.

Matthew was a Weight Watchers Lecturer. He loved to garden and in his later years, enjoyed making model boats.

Those left to cherish Matthew’s memory include his daughters, Madalene Masem and Barbara Lee; grandchildren, Tina (Dave) Thomas, Jason (Brea) Cook, Julie (Chad) Elliott, Kristina Cook, and Kari (Gary) Gardner; and great-grandchildren, Ava and Cooper Thomas, Jaden and Jillian Kyle, Adrianna (Marissa) Troche, and Michael Puig.

Matthew was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Nancy; brothers, Joseph and Harold; and great-great-granddaughter, Jamilah Amena; The family would like to give a special thank you to ProMedica Hospice and Silver Cross Nursing Center for their wonderful care of Matthew.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.wheelanpressly.com.

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