Russell Maatman

Dr. Russell Maatman, 86, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Monday, March 22, 2010 at Royale Meadows Care Center of Sioux Center. A visitation will be held Thursday from 4-8PM with the family present from 5-7PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A prayer service for family and friends will be held Friday at 10AM at Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held at Friday at 11AM at Covenant Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Reverend Herm Van Niejenhuis officiating. In lieu of flowers the Maatman family prefer memorials be directed to Crossroad Prison Ministry, P.O. Box 900, Grand Rapids, MI 49509-0900. Dr. Russell Maatman was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 7, 1923, to John and Cora (Van Prooyen) Maatman. The family lived in Frankfort, Illinois while Russell attended grade school and Chicago Christian High School. Russell obtained his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, and received his doctorate from Michigan State University. Russell married Jean Sherrard on December 27, 1948 at her parents' home in Gibsonburg, Ohio. They moved to Greencastle, Indiana where Russell taught at DePauw University. In 1951, he accepted a position as a research chemist for Mobil Oil in Paulsboro, New Jersey. He worked at this company seven years before moving to Oxford, Mississippi to teach Chemistry at the University of Mississippi. In 1963, he and Jean with their five children moved to Sioux Center, Iowa. Russell taught Chemistry and related courses for 27 years at Dordt College. Russell had a very strong faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. This belief was evident in every area of his life. He served on the church council, was a member of the Unity Christian High School Board as well as the board for KDCR. He volunteered to teach for short-term periods in South Africa and the Ukraine. After he retired from Dordt, Russell was involved in Crossroad Prison Ministries, providing feedback to prison inmates who sent in Bible Study lessons. Russell had several passions in life. He was deeply involved with his family. He also enjoyed stamp collecting, classical music and discussing politics. Russell published three books on Creation and Science plus numerous research papers in the field of catalysis. Russell is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean Maatman; one son and daughter-in-law, John and Anne Maatman of Sioux Center; two daughters and sons-in-law: Susan and Larry Meyers of Sheldon, IA and Ruth and Roger Carter of Columbia, MO. Russell loved his fifteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Jeanette and Russell Sours of Risingsun, OH and Mary and Lance Zimmerman of Gibsonburg, OH; sister-in-law, Flo MacGilvray of Sarasota, FL and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Russell in death were daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Steven Baker; his daughter, Rebecca Maatman; his parents, as well as two siblings: Elwood and June, both who died in infancy. Online Condolences Janna DeGroot-Van Driel Smithers Relationship: friend Jean, my heart goes out to you. You have our prayers for strength from our heavenly father at this time. Sent: 3/22/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vicki Mastbergen Sanborn Relationship: Coworker John and Family: You have my sympathy in the passing of your Father. He is now with his Heavenly Father.May the empty spot in your family be filled with fond memories of love and laughter. Sent: 3/23/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tom Aldrich Sioux Center Relationship: family friend Once again we extend sympathy and our prayers for a loss in your family. Photographs, and more importantly, memories will bring you all peace and smiles. Tom, Mary, and our families. Sent: 3/24/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ruth Kocisko Sioux Center Relationship: family friend Jean and children, I'm so sorry for your loss. I pray for your comfort and peace. I enjoyed my conversation with Russ very much in December (about science and religion, particularly during the Scientific Revolution). His mind was still so sharp during that conversation, though his body was slowing down. Becky had encouraged me to use him as a resource for my teaching of science in history when I saw her last in October. I was looking forward to another such conversation. We'll all miss him and we understand that your loss is very great. God will comfort you, however, and we pray for his presence to be felt in a special way at this time. Sincerely, Ruth Harthoorn Kocisko Sent: 3/25/2010