Rev. John Matern

Rev. John Val Matern, born in Schenectady to parents Walter and Elizabeth Moon Matern on March 9th 1931, died on Tuesday Dec.1st from complications of lung cancer and emphysema. He was ordained into the Lutheran ministry after graduating from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. in 1959. His 50th year of ordination was recently celebrated.

He served congregations in St. Louis Park, MN; Boston, MA; New Sweden, ME; Bennington, VT. Most recently he was pastor of The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity in Saranac Lake and Potsdam.

His love for both classical and jazz music was expressed on the trumpet, with his voice, but most often on the piano, which he played almost daily. He participated in the local radio ministry. He sang in the St Luke’s Episcopal Church choir. He belonged to the local Ecumenical Council. He worked continuously with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America nationally and with its world wide spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a strong supported of Doctors Without Boarders. Even with declining health he preached from the pulpit till his final days. He was a friend of many and loved by all.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sally; his four children Theodore, Sarah, Daniel and Elizabeth, a stepson Charles Kendall, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on this Sunday, December 6 at 4:30 at St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Saranac Lake, NY.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in his name can do so to The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity in care of the funeral home. Family and friends may also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.