Mathew S. Loos

Mathew Simon 'Matt' Loos

ROCKFORD — Mathew Simon "Matt" Loos Jr., 70, passed away peacefully at home, just as the sun was rising, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013.
He was born Feb. 27, 1943, in Wausau, Wis., the son of Mathew and Ester (Burkloff) Loos. On Oct. 7, 1967, he married Shirley Zilch, on a perfect autumn day in Wausau.
He served in the U.S. Air force from 1962-1965, where he was stationed in Texas in the IBM Missile Program. He retired from Chrysler Corp. in 1998 after 35 years with the company.
Matt and Shirley were active members of St. Rita Catholic Church in Rockford, Ill. He was proud of his German and Polish ancestry.
His father, Mathew Loos Sr., preceded him in death.
Matt is survived by his wife and true partner of 46 years, Shirley; two sons, Scott (Jane) of Wausau and Mark (Crystal) of Rockford; one grandson, Logan of Wausau; one granddaughter, Destiny of Rockford; his mother, Ester Loos, of Wausau; one sister, Peggy (Roland) Zerneke of Wausau; one brother, James (Candy) Loos of Wausau; five nephews and a niece, all of Wausau; and many close neighbors and friends.
Matt was a devoted husband and father who took great joy in being with his family and friends. He always was very grateful for the wonderful people who he was surrounded by. Matt was the type of person who always could entertain you with one of his endless jokes and stories. He was very proud of how he taught his boys to enjoy the outdoors. Whether it was a 3 a.m. fishing trip or out tracking deer all night, he always was there for them. Many were fortunate to enjoy some of Matt's excellent smoked salmon or one of his fish fry's. He was a dog lover and always carried treats in his van or pockets for any dog he would see. Matt was a giver, teacher, loving husband and father as well as a loyal friend to many. He could be counted upon to be there at any time, for any reason, to help in any way he could. He tried to live by the motto, "do at least one good deed a day." Matt leaves us knowing that he helped us all in his own way. As his grandson, Logan, stated: "His spirit will always be with us." Enjoy your journey, Matt, we will see you again.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at St. Rita Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford, Ill., with Rev. John Evans officiating. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the mass. Burial will be on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at noon at Rest Lawn Cemetery in Wausau.