Jean Maatman

Jean Maatman, 87, of Sioux Center, IA died Thursday, September 13, 2012, at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center. Visitation will be held on Friday at Covenant Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center from 5-8:30PM, with the family present from 7-8:30PM. A prayer service for family and friends will be held Saturday at 10AM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11AM at Covenant Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Herm Van Niejenhuis officiating. In lieu of flowers the Maatman family prefers memorials be directed to Crossroad Prison Ministry, P.O. Box 900, Grand Rapids, MI 49509. Jean Sherrard was born to Dale and Bertha Sherrard in Gibsonburg, Ohio, on July 18, 1925. Jean was raised on a 200-acre farm in northwestern Ohio, not far from Lake Erie. She attended grade school and high school in Gibsonburg and graduated from college in Bowling Green, Ohio, majoring in biology. After graduating from Bowling Green, Jean received her Masters' degree from Michigan State University in bio-chemistry. There she met Russell Maatman, who was studying for a doctorate in inorganic chemistry. They were married at her parents' home two days after Christmas in 1948. Jean and Russ lived in Greencastle, Indiana, for two years and then they moved to New Jersey in 1951. Jean was a mother and homemaker while Russ worked as a research chemist for Mobil Oil. In 1959, the family moved to Oxford, Mississippi, where Russ taught chemistry at the University of Mississippi. In 1962, the family settled in Sioux Center, Iowa, where Russ taught at Dordt College. Jean went back to school in 1964 and obtained a teaching degree. She taught at Sioux Center Christian School, Orange City Christian School, and Unity Christian High School. She later worked for Harker's in LeMars and Nobl Labs in Sioux Center. She worked for the Sioux Center Library for more than thirty years, retiring just short of her 80th birthday. Jean was always active in church activities. She and Russ were dedicated to living out their faith in God and helping others learn about Jesus. Jean was very fond of teaching children. She taught Vacation Bible School and Sunday School for many years. She was also a counselor with Calvinettes (now GEMS). Russ and Jean participated in many Bible studies. Coffee Break was a highlight in her week after she retired. Both Jean and Russ corrected lessons for Crossroad Bible Institute, a prison ministry. Their home was always open to students, missionaries, and anyone needing a place to stay. Following a stroke, Jean moved to Royale Meadows in 2009. Russ passed away in 2010 at Royale Meadows. Left to mourn her passing are one son: John (Anne) Maatman of Sioux Center; two daughters, Susan (Larry) Meyers of Sheldon, Iowa, and Ruth (Roger) Carter of Columbia, Missouri; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Jan (Russ) Sours of Risingsun, Ohio, and Flo MacGilvary of Sarasota, Florida; brother-in-law Lance Zimmerman of Gibsonburg, Ohio; plus many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband, Russ; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Steven Baker; daughter, Rebecca Maatman; sister, Mary Zimmerman; and her parents.