Robert A. Mattson, age 75 of Knoxville, Illinois, died Monday May 27, 2024, at his home.
He was born on September 29, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Charles Andrew and Rita (Carroll) Mattson. He attended Saint Giles School until he got into high school, he then attended Oak Park High School in Oak Park, Illinois. After graduating, he attended Robert Morris College in Chicago, Illinois. He then went on to further his education by attending Carthage University in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He married Katherine M. Anderson on July 15, 1972 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Galva, Illinois.
Surviving are his four daughters: Erin (Edward) Matern of Monmouth, Illinois, Amy (Buck) Farley of Normal, Illinois, Kristina (Aaron) Brodrick of Knoxville, Illinois, and Meredith (Tyler) Rundle of Monmouth, Illinois; eleven grandchildren: Beverly (Jerry) Pitts of Monmouth, Illinois, Brooklynn and Gavin Matern, of Monmouth, Illinois, Caoilainn and Padraig Farley of Normal, Illinois, Kaleb, Kamden, and Kolton Brodrick of Knoxville, Illinois, Hayven, Ainsley, and Rhaiden Rundle of Monmouth, Illinois, and his mother Rita Mattson of Oak Park California; His siblings Sherry (Bob) Moore of Fairhope Alabama, Barbara (Rick) Esler of Huntsville Alabama, and Brian (Janine) Mattson of Oak Park California. He was preceded in death by His wife, one brother-in-law Gerald Anderson, Parents-in-laws, Rueben and Audrey Anderson, and his father.
He began working for Burlington Northen Railroad in 1964 in the machine shop, as a truck driver, a crane operator, and then retired from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in 2008. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church of Knoxville, Illinois. He was also a local chairman for the railroad. He participated in 4-H, and was a member of the Spoon River Antique Agricultural Association. He enjoyed race car racing, riding his motorcycle, stain glass and jewelry making, woodworking, and photography.
A visitation will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Knox County Huane Society. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
