John Louis "Don" Mateer

Other Events:

• Census: 1880, Joliet, Will County, Illinois
• Census: 1940, 355 Whitney Ave, Joliet, Will County, Illinois

Notes:

OCCUPATION: Stock holder and Vice President of Barret Hardware Co. (55 years) Knight Templar in Joliet & Shriner of Medinah Temple. Known as Don.

Don L. Mateer, 75, of 355 Whitney avenue, a director of the Barrett Hardware company, Inc., who had been affiliated with the firm for the past 55 years, succumbed to a heart attack last night while in his car enroute to his home.

Apparently Mr. Mateer felt the attack coming on and moved his car to the side of the road in front of 303 North Ottawa street. Eddie Flink who resides there, told police that he noticed the machine with the lights on, parked there when he returned from town after 6 p.m. He later investigated and noted that Mr. Mateer was on his side as though he was looking at the dash. When the man failed to move after he had watched him a few minutes, Mr. fink opened the car door and found Mr. Mateer dead.

Flink immediately summoned the police and the fire department inhalator squad.

Coroner Willard Blood said there were indications of an acute pulmonary adema. Although he had not been feeling too well in recent months, he had not been treated for a heart condition, the coroner said. He had worked all day
yesterday and was believed to be enroute home when stricken.

A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Mateer, he was born in Joliet and lived his entire life here. He was educated in the Joliet public schools and was graduated from JTHS. Later he attended business college, after which he joined the Barrett Hardware company. His father was known as the "grand old man of Masonry," in this community, and was a Civil War veteran.

He came up through the ranks of the Barrett Hardware company. It was the only job he ever had. In recent years he was industrial sales manager as well as being a director and stockholder in the firm.

Mr. Mateer had served as a commissioner on the Joliet park board for two terms. He was first elected to the post in 1945 and served two six-year terms, terminating his service in 1937.

He was married to the former Grace DeLong, who died in 1942. There were no children born of the marriage.

Mr. Mateer was active in the First Presbyterian church, the Masons, the Knights Templar and the Medinah temple in Chicago.

Surviving are three brothers: William G., who is manager of purchases and
stores for the E. J. & E. railroad; Charles B. of Rutland, Vt., and Fred D. of Chicago; and three sisters, Miss Stella of New Lenox who is a teacher at the Washington school; Mrs. Martha Brockway, also of New Lenox and Miss Irene of Joliet.

The body is at the Blood and Grant Funeral home. It will be taken to the First Presbyterian church Thursday noon to lie in state until 3 p.m. when last rites will be conducted by the Rev. Arthur W. Hoffman, pastor. Burial will be in Oakwood cemetery.
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Reference:
Joliet newspaper clipping.

John married Grace A. De Long 24 Mar 1897, Joliet, Will County, Illinois. Grace (daughter of Stephen V. De Long and Sarah Stanley) was born 3 Jul 1874, Joliet, Will County, Illinois; died 27 Jun 1942, Joliet, Will County, Illinois; was buried 29 Jun 1942, Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet, Will County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]