Negaunee Twp. - Jack T. Matchett, 81, of 101 Oakridge Dr., Negaunee Twp. passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at his home. He was in the loving care of his family and the U P Home Health and Hospice at the time of his death.

Jack was born October 31, 1935 in Randville, MI the son of the Guy and Lillice (Steele) Matchett. He grew up in Randville, MI and was a graduate of the Channing High School with the Class of 1951. Jack served in the United States Coast Guard for 20 years mainly around the Great Lakes but had also served 5 years in South Dakota and a year in Japan. Following his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard Jack worked for Marquette Fence Co. for many years as a foreman.

Jack was a lifelong "Yooper" and truly enjoyed spending time at camp in Randville, deer hunting, trout fishing, and logging. In the summer months Jack would plant and tend to his vegetable gardens. He truly loved his grandchildren and cherished his time with them. Jack was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church and of the Greenwood American Legion Post #114.

Jack is survived by a daughter Patti (Tim) Effertz of Pewaukee, WI, a son Robert (Tammy) Matchett of Ishpeming, 2 sisters – Marian Schuchart of Marinette, WI and Alice Rice of Ishpeming, a brother Bill (Sarah Jones) Herzog of Hot Springs Village, AR, 3 grandchildren – Tom Berry, Caleb and Tristan Effertz, a great grandchild James Berry along with several nieces and nephews and his beloved dog Sara. Jack was also "Yooper Dad" to his adopted "Yooper Daughter" and her family Marcy (Tom) Watters and a loyal buddy to Don (Pat) Stahlberg and Waino (Cathy) Moilanen. Jack was preceded in death by his wife Barbara (Gorst) Matchett in 2011.

The Matchett family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00am – 12:00noon on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home. Funeral services for Jack will be held at 12:00noon on Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. Interment will take place at the Negaunee Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org or to upaws at upaws.org or 84 Snowfield Rd., Negaunee, MI 49866 in Jack's memory

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .