Col. Matsel

Colonel Paul Eugene (Gene) Matsel, USA (Retired), passed away on Saturday, October 19th at 12:35 a.m. at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro, Illinois. The middle child of Elmer Guy and Lola Hughey Matsel, Gene was born on July 8, 1926 and lived his formative years in the family home on Sixth Street, along with his brothers, Ted and Roy. He attended Carmi schools, where he excelled in sports.

Upon graduation from Carmi Township High School in 1944, Gene enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After completing Boot Camp, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, he was shipped out to the South Pacific where he participated in offensive operations on Saipan and Guam and the surrender of Japanese forces on Pagan Island. He was released from active duty in September 1946 and transitioned into the Illinois Army National Guard. Typical of World War II veterans, Gene returned home graduated from Lockyear's School of Business, married his high school sweetheart, Helen Friedman Matsel, went into a farm implement business, Matsel Equipment Company, and started a family. As a businessman in Carmi, for over 20 years, Gene believed in serving his community and was extremely active in many civic organizations. Over the years, he served as president of Kiwanis, president of The Chamber of Commerce, Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge and was an active member of the American Legion and VFW. He was also a charter member of the Carmi Country Club, where he enjoyed playing golf for many years.

While Gene loved his life in Carmi as a young businessman, husband and father, he maintained his commitment to his nation and remained in the Illinois Army National Guard. In 1951, he was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant of Infantry and was recalled to active duty, as a member of the 44th Infantry Division. Gene served in various billets as a young officer and was eventually deployed to Korea, as a member of the Korean Military Advisory Group, in support of the Korean Conflict. While in Korea, he fought with the 9th Republic of Korea Division and participated in the 3rd Korean Winter and 3rd Korean Summer Campaigns. In August 1953, he returned home and transitioned to the United States Army Reserve where he formed, organized and commanded Company K, 405th Infantry in the 102nd Infantry Division in Carmi, Illinois.

In January 1970, now a senior Army officer, Colonel Matsel voluntarily returned to active duty and remained in an active duty status until his retirement. His assignments included: Staff Officer, Office of the Chief Army Reserve, Department of Army Staff (Pentagon); Reserve Advisor to the Commanding General, US Army Pacific (Fort Shafter, Hawaii); Reserve Advisor to the Commanding General, Sixth US Army (The Presidio of San Francisco, California); and the Chief Personnel Division, in the Office of the Chief Army Reserve, Department of Army Staff (Pentagon). Colonel Matsel retired from the military, having served his nation for 41 years, on September 1, 1985. He and his wife, Helen, returned to their beloved Carmi and opened a business, U-Store U-Lock Mini Storage, with their son, Rod and his wife, Julie.

Colonel Matsel's military awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army General Staff Identification Badge and the World War II Victory Medal.

Gene is survived by his four children: Jane Matsel Staley (Mike) of Carmi, Ann Matsel Lindsey of Chesapeake, Virginia, Rodney William Matsel (Julie) of Carmi and Colonel Thomas Samuel Matsel, USA (Annemarie) of Grafenwoehr, Germany; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Two sisters-in-law also survive him: Mrs. Alvin Mayse, Evansville, Indiana and Mrs. William Friedman, Breese, Illinois, as well as, many nieces and nephews.

Gene is preceded in death by: his wife of 64 years, Helen Friedman Matsel; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Guy Matsel, two brothers, Ted Hughey Matsel and Roy Legier Matsel and a son-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Scott Alden Lindsey, USMC.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday, October 22, at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi. A funeral service will be conducted at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi on Wednesday, October 23 at 11:00 a.m. with burial following at White County Memorial Garden with full military honors.

Memorials in Gene's honor may be made to: Phoenix Foundation of Southern Illinois, 615 W. Web Street, Carmi, IL 62821.