Click here for a column listing the many attributes of Mr. Matter. It was posted on the Icon upon his 90th birthday in April 2015.

Bluffton community leader R. Wayne Matter, 92, died April 2, 2018, at Bluffton Hospital. Wayne was born April 21, 1925, in Bluffton to the late Richard and Josephine (Diemer) Matter. On May 7, 1947, he married Janet Young Matter who preceded him in death on March 18, 2012.

Wayne was a graduate of North Side High School in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He was a World War II veteran serving in the South Pacific in the United States Marine Corp. 

Wayne drove a fuel truck for the Allen County Farm Bureau and later worked as a timekeeper and eventually a supervisor for Ex-Cello Corporation in Bluffton. 

He was an active member of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Bluffton where he had served as deacon, elder, President of the Consistory and sang in the church choir. 

He was a member of the American Legion Post #382 in Bluffton, he was 70+ year member of the Bluffton Masonic lodge until it merged with the Mt. Cory Masonic Lodge #418.  He served in every position at the Bluffton lodge during his membership and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star. 

He served as a Bluffton councilman for eight years and 10 years as mayor of the Village of Bluffton. He served as President of the Ohio Mayor's Association. 

Wayne was a founding member of the Bluffton Housing Corp. and past member of the Bluffton Hospital board. 

Survivors include three sons,  Ron (Laurie) Matter of Maumee, Rick (Sherri) Matter of Columbus, Randy (Kim) Matter of Bluffton; four daughters, Jane (Ron) Etter of Pandora, Sara (Jack) Behnke of Findlay, Mary (Dave) Fett of Bluffton, Susie (Jan) Gilliland of Bluffton.

Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, Staff Sgt. R. Caleb (Beka) Bassitt, Carrie Bassitt, Spec. Agent Ryan (Kristin) Matter, Jaclyn (Nick Purgatori) Matter, Caity (Bill) Henniger, Wyatt Matter, Sara Jane Matter, Cassie (Justin) Weyer, Megan Fett, Leah Fett, Matt Behnke, Joel Behnke, Andrea (Erik Hoisington) Etter, four great grandchildren, Braden and Peyton Weyer, Addy Bassitt and Leena Matter; and a special cousin, Carolyn (Wade) Oberly of Bluffton.

Wayne was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Scherer; two brothers, Franklin "Cork" Matter, William "Bill" Matter; and two grandsons, Ricky Matter and Aaron Etter.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, April 6, at Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Bluffton. Pastor Jeremy Mann officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton where military rites will be performed. 

Visitation will be Thursday from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton and one hour prior to the service at the church.  A Masonic service will take place Thursday at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Mennonite Memorial Home or to the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.