Funeral services for Edwin S. Matz, age 84, of Hayward, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 15, at the First Baptist Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Clayton Balsley will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Freeborn County servicemen’s organizations. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Ed died Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at his home.

Edwin Samuel Matz was born March 22,1919, to George and Elsie (Kluender) Matz in Walters. He attended country school through the eighth grade. Ed received his GED Oct. 31, 2002. On July 25, 1942, he was united in marriage to DeEtta Florence “Tootie” Cornick in Flint, Mich. During World War II, Ed served in the United States Army Air Corps in Algeria, French Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, and Sardinia. The couple farmed in the Conger area before moving to Hayward in 1960. Ed was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and VOCA (Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance). He was a volunteer in a Farmer-to-Farmer program in the Czech Republic and Romania. After retirement, Ed was a driver for Senior Resources and worked part time for Naeve Hospital, Johnson Floral, Farmstead, Hormel, and Flowers by Curt. He was a former vice president of Farm Bureau, former treasurer of the Riceland Township Board, a member of the Turtle Creek Watershed Board, and an active member of First Baptist Church. After retirement, Ed obtained his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying. He loved going to all of his grandchildren’s activities.

Survivors include his wife, “Tootie” of Hayward; children: Sharon and her husband Jerry Selph of Lake Dallas, Texas, Patty and her husband Mike Billat of Albert Lea, Lori and her husband Dale Overland of Albert Lea, DeEtta and husband Paul Marka of Albert Lea, and Daniel and his wife Kelly Matz of Hayward; grandchildren: Brian and his wife Holly High, Andy Selph, DeAnn and her husband Clint Stevens, Chad Billat, Ben Billat, Scott and his wife Jenny Overland, Stacy Overland and fianc James Tauges, Jon Overland, Joshua Stieler and fiancee Sara Rasmussen, Amy Marka, Casey Marka, Taylor Matz, and Garrett Matz; great-grandchildren: Logan High, Brenden Overland, Kailey Overland, Emmitt Stevens, and Kylee Stevens; brother, Howard Matz of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and sister-in-law, Margie Matz of New Market, Md.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Vern Matz; and sister, Viola Niebuhr.

Memorials are preferred to the Missions of First Baptist Church.