Thomas A. Matthes

Thomas A. Matthes

June 8, 1940 – July 25, 2023

Thomas Andrew Matthes, age 83 of Monroe, passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at the ProMedica Regional Hospital of Monroe.

Born June 8, 1940, in Monroe. He was the son of Wilbert J. and Gertrude I. (Goodnough) Matthes. After graduating from Monroe Catholic High School in 1958, he joined the Brothers of Holy Cross, Midwest Province, Notre Dame, Indiana. Tom earned his BA degree from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and his MA degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.

He did his post graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. Tom received his CRB (Certified Real Estate Broker) Designation from the National Association of Realtors, National Marketing Institute.

Tom was a secondary school teacher and administrator in Akron, Ohio and South Bend, Indiana. Upon returning to Monroe in 1972, he worked for the Ford Motor Company in Monroe and the United Way of Monroe County as an associate director of campaign planning and publicity.

He married Kathryn Ann Chambers in August, 1973 in St. Linus Catholic Church in Dearborn Heights, Michigan and raised a family of two children.

In 1977, he joined Century 21 Village as a sales manager and trainer. Later, he was affiliated with First Realty of Michigan, Better Homes and Gardens as an associated broker and trainer. In 1983, he co-founder Merit Mortgage Company which later became Merit Financial Corporation, of which he was CEO and president. In 1996, he founded Matthes and Associates, Inc., a real estate, financial consulting and training company.

Tom was past president of the Monroe County Association of Realtors and received its Realtor of the Year in 1989 and 1991. He was also a member of and served on various committees of the National and Michigan Associates of Realtors. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Mortgage Brokers Association. In 1997, he was named MMBA’s Michigan Mortgage Broker of the Year. He was past member and president of the Board of Trustees of the Monroe County Community Foundation. Tom was a past member and chairman of various committees of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce as well as a member and officer of the Board of Directors of the Frenchtown Senior Center. He served on the advisory board for St. John the Baptist Elementary School.

Surviving are his children: Anne M. Matthes of Grand Rapids and Michael T. Matthes of Canton; granddaughters: Kaitlyn Euker, Lyndsey Euker, and Isabella Matthes; great-grandchildren: Michael Euker, Marianna Tijerina, and Xavier Tijerina; sister: Mrs. Elden (Barbara) Krzyske of Waltz, MI; nieces and nephews: Susan (Richard) Calkins, Karen (Robert) Makowski and Timothy (Heather) Krzyske; and six great nephews and nieces. Tom was preceded in death by his parents.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. Everyone is invited to a memorial gathering on Friday, September 8, 2023 at Rupp Funeral Home from 2 to 8 pm, where a recitation of the rosary will be said at 7 pm. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Instate will begin at 10 am and mass will follow at 11 am. Officiating is Fr. David Burgard. Burial will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle.

In lieu of flowers, the Matthes family has asked for any donations to contribute toward funeral costs. If you would like to help, it would be greatly appreciated. Please call Rupp Funeral Home at 734-241-9300 to donate.

Online condolences may be sent to www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com