James W. Mattke, age 86, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2020, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney, Kansas. Jim was born July 20, 1933, on the family homestead near Ogallah, Kansas, to Paul Mattke and Gladys Pierce.
He graduated from Trego Community High School in 1951. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United State Air Force. At age 20, he married Beverly Mae Sellers on May 23, 1954, in WaKeeney, KS. Jim and Bev then returned to Travis Air Force Base, California, where their first son, Scott D Mattke was born. Two weeks after his transfer to Nebraska, their daughter, Kathrine K. Mattke was born. The family moved to England for four years where their two youngest sons, Charles E Mattke and Steven L Mattke, were born. While in Europe they traveled to Holland, Scotland and France. They returned to the United States until 1968 when Jim was transferred to Guam, USA, where they lived for three years and nine months. During their time on Guam, they were able to visit Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan and Okinawa. Jim was then transferred back to the United States retired from the United States Air Force in 1972.
After Jim’s retirement, they returned to WaKeeney, Kansas, where Jim was a partner in D. J. Flowers for several years. In 1980, they moved to West Plains, Missouri, where they enjoyed water skiing, wood working, horseback riding and showing Fox Trotting horses. After Bev passed away on June 20, 2003, Jim returned to WaKeeney in 2005.
Jim is survived by his three sons, Scott (Georgianna) of Wichita, KS, Chuck (Lori) of Ogallah, KS, Steve (Marjorie) of Augusta, KS; daughter, Kathrine Simonsen of Wichita, KS; six grandchildren, Crystle Mattke (Tony Cady), Springfield, MO, Cory Mattke, Augusta, Ks, Susan (Dylan) Strawn, Wichita, KS; Casey (Kambi) Mattke, Savage, MN, Eve Simonsen, Leesville, SC, and Melia (Brandon) Washington, Spring, TX; eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons. Also surviving are his brothers, Clifford of Independence, Mo and Frank (Nancy) of Andover, KS.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Leo Mattke and Jourdan Mattke.
A memorial service with full military honors (hosted by the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery) will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2020, at the WaKeeney Veterans’ Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to VFW #3449, where Jim was a lifetime member, may be sent in care of: Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672.