Donald Eldon Mattice, 89 of Austin, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, surrounded by members of his immediate family at his bedside.
Don was born Feb. 11, 1925 to Christine and Albert Mattice in Minneapolis. He was the last to join the family which included 4 siblings. The family weathered the depression better than most, as Don's father was one of the few to have a stable job as a conductor with the Milwaukee Railroad.
The family moved from Minneapolis to Mankato and then relocated to Austin. Don graduated in 1942 from Austin High School at the age of 17. With WW 11 raging he wanted to serve his country so like many others during that time, he lied about his age and enlisted in the Army. Following basic training he was sent to the Pacific Theater where he served in New Guinea, the Philippines and finally part of General MacArthur's occupying force in Japan following the Japanese surrender.
After serving several years in the Pacific and prior to a state-side military assignment, Don was on leave in Austin when he met his future wife. They got married on March 1, 1946 by a Justice of the Peace in Sioux Falls, S.D. Don's new bride accompanied him on his final assignment with the Army as a supply sergeant at a military detention center in Milwaukee, Wis. the young couple returned to Austin when his Commitment with the Army ended.
In 1947, Don and his wife had two life-changing experiences. Don started his lifelong career in law enforcement by joining the Austin Police Department, and the couple had their first child. Don rose quickly in rank to captain and then was appointed inspector, as second in command of the Austin Police Department. After 24 years serving the people of Austin he was appointed chief of police in Woodridge, Ill. in the western suburbs of Chicago. The municipality further tapped his experience and capabilities by promoting Don to director of Public Safety, which gave him oversight over the police, fire, ambulance services and civil defense.
After retiring from public service, Don and his wife moved to various parts of the country to spend time with their children and grandchildren.
Don and his wife ultimately returned to Austin where he spent his final 2 years at Adams Nursing Home as a result of a fall which required hip surgery, from which he never regained the ability to walk.
Survivors include his wife, 4 sons, 9 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Cathy, his parents and all four siblings.
Following the rules of Find A Grave, living persons are not listed, on this memorial.
Donald Eldon Mattice, 89 of Austin, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, surrounded by members of his immediate family at his bedside.
Don was born Feb. 11, 1925 to Christine and Albert Mattice in Minneapolis. He was the last to join the family which included 4 siblings. The family weathered the depression better than most, as Don's father was one of the few to have a stable job as a conductor with the Milwaukee Railroad.
The family moved from Minneapolis to Mankato and then relocated to Austin. Don graduated in 1942 from Austin High School at the age of 17. With WW 11 raging he wanted to serve his country so like many others during that time, he lied about his age and enlisted in the Army. Following basic training he was sent to the Pacific Theater where he served in New Guinea, the Philippines and finally part of General MacArthur's occupying force in Japan following the Japanese surrender.
After serving several years in the Pacific and prior to a state-side military assignment, Don was on leave in Austin when he met his future wife. They got married on March 1, 1946 by a Justice of the Peace in Sioux Falls, S.D. Don's new bride accompanied him on his final assignment with the Army as a supply sergeant at a military detention center in Milwaukee, Wis. the young couple returned to Austin when his Commitment with the Army ended.
In 1947, Don and his wife had two life-changing experiences. Don started his lifelong career in law enforcement by joining the Austin Police Department, and the couple had their first child. Don rose quickly in rank to captain and then was appointed inspector, as second in command of the Austin Police Department. After 24 years serving the people of Austin he was appointed chief of police in Woodridge, Ill. in the western suburbs of Chicago. The municipality further tapped his experience and capabilities by promoting Don to director of Public Safety, which gave him oversight over the police, fire, ambulance services and civil defense.
After retiring from public service, Don and his wife moved to various parts of the country to spend time with their children and grandchildren.
Don and his wife ultimately returned to Austin where he spent his final 2 years at Adams Nursing Home as a result of a fall which required hip surgery, from which he never regained the ability to walk.
Survivors include his wife, 4 sons, 9 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Cathy, his parents and all four siblings.
Following the rules of Find A Grave, living persons are not listed, on this memorial.
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