Joseph E. Matt

BIG ARM - Joseph E. Matt, 80, of Big Arm died of natural causes the family home in Big Arm on Thursday Aug. 12, 2004, surrounded by family and friends.

Joseph was born March 15, 1924, in St. Ignatius to Rose and Louis Matt. Joseph married Sophie "Erma" Kallowat in Polson on July 22, 1946. He was a member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes.

served with the Army in the South Pacific during WW II and was discharged as a Staff Sergeant. He was a member of the Northwest Ironworkers Association where he received his 50-year pin on April, 2004. He was also a member of the Polson VFW #2986.

Joseph worked on the Libby, Hungry Horse, Kerr, Noxon and Bridgeport, Wash., dams, at the paper mill in Missoula and the aluminum plant in Columbia Falls. He also worked in Great Falls and Glasgow on the underground missiles.

His interests included powwows, playing stick games, horse races, country music, powwow songs, sports on TV, boxing, golf, and watching his son Rik teach and play golf, spending time in his yard, family, and his dog, Axel. In his younger days he loved being in the woods cutting Christmas trees. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Joseph is survived by his wife and best friend of 58 years, Sophie; sons, Rik Matt of Big Arm, Robert McCrea of Pablo; a daughter, Barbara Clark and her son, Robert Joseph Clark of Kalispell, and numerous nephews and nieces throughout the reservation and states.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Dean Matt and Randall Lee, and his parents He was the last of seven brothers and three sisters.

Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated Aug. 14 in the Elmo Hall with Father Gary Reller officiating . Burial with military honors was in Dayton. The memorial will be set at a later date.

Pallbearers were Eugene Matt, Willie Burke, Clay Burke, Wilfred Kenmille, Adrian Hewankorn, and Wain Lefthand. Crossbearer was Robin Kallowat.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements were by Grogan Funeral Home in Polson.