Edwin B. Mattson

Ed Mattson, of Munising MI, died February 17, 2021.  He is survived by:  his beloved wife of almost 55 years, Jean; three children, Julie (Gary) Hahn of Portage, MI; Eddie (Ann) Mattson of Iron Mountain, MI; Matt Mattson of Munising Michigan; and 10 much beloved grandchildren – E.J., Emily, Frankie, Anthony, Noah, Lori, Jacob, Isabelle, Kate, and Trey; siblings - Dorene (John) Sidbeck of Streamwood IL, Alice (Bud) Dover of Claremore OK, Charles (Erica) of Irmo, SC; sisters-in-law Helen Mattson of Munising, Dianne Mattson of Streamwood IL, Lee Schultz of Allegan, MI, and brother-in-law George Summersell of Saratoga Springs, NY.  He is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his parents, Edward and Florence (Twork) Mattson, his brothers John, James, and Gary (Bob), sister-in-law Julie Summersell and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Bonnie and Jack McCarthy.

Ed was born in Munising, MI August 4, 1937.  He graduated from Mather High School in 1955 and from Coyne Electrical School, Milwaukee WI in 1957.  Ed was drafted into the US Army in 1959 and was honorably discharged as an SP4 (T) in March of 1962.   While in the service he received the Good Conduct Medal, graduated first in his class of 400 (which he would never have told anyone) and learned to fly small aircraft.  When he returned to Milwaukee he continued his education in engineering at Milwaukee Institute of Technology.  He lived for 11 years in Milwaukee and this time in Milwaukee began his lifelong love of the Green Bay Packers.

While in Milwaukee Ed ‘met’ his beloved wife, Jean.  While they grew up across the street from each other in Munising, as he was seven years older than her, they did not know each other well.  Their lifelong love affair began when she moved to Milwaukee and Ed gave her rides home to Munising on weekends.  Their daughter Julie was born in Milwaukee.  In 1968 they moved to Rochester, NY where he worked for Stromberg Carlson and their son Eddie was born.  In 1972 he accepted a position with Greybar/NEC in Wilmington Delaware as Manager of Engineering Installation.  Their son Matthew was born in Delaware.  Ed liked to say they had their kids in three different states and moved home to Munising to raise them.

In September 1975 they returned to Munising and he began his career with Munising Telephone Company as Central Office Supervisor.  As the company grew and became Hiawatha Telephone Company, Ed was promoted to Manager of Network Facilities.  When Hiawatha Communications (HCI) was formed and the Ontonagon County Telephone Company, Midway Telephone Company and later the Chippewa County Telephone Company were purchased he was promoted to Vice President Network Operations at HCI, the position he held until his retirement in 2003, serving over 28 years with the company, a total of 46 years in the telephone industry. He also served for a time on the Board of Directors at HCI.

His family and friends will remember his love of God, country, family, his pets, hunting, being on Lake Superior and his deep love of nature.  Ed is also remembered for his astounding memory and his lightning-fast wit. His family remembers many camping trips (in one tent, with three kids and a Great Dane) and many riotous games of Trivial Pursuit, where it was everyone against Ed – and he still always won.  There were many family Sunday drives in the woods.  One of his greatest joys was watching his grandkids (and their friends) in sports – and all Munising sports in general.

Ed was a member and Past Master of the Masonic Grand Island Lodge 422, Munising Rotary Club and Pictured Rocks Golf and Country Club.  He always felt strongly about serving and giving to one’s community.  He served on the Church Council of Eden Lutheran Church and served many years on the Munising City Council, with four terms as City Mayor.

Services were held on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at the Eden Lutheran Church in Munising.  Visitation was from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.  Pastor Ann Gonyea conducted Ed's funeral service at 7:00 pm.

Graveside services will be held at the Maple Grove Cemetery on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.  Military honors will be rendered by the American Legion Honor Guard and Pastor Ann Gonyea will lead committal prayers.

Donations can be made to:

Tim LeVeque Sports Fund at Munising High School 810 M-28 West, Munising MI 49862 or to Eden Lutheran Church, PO Box 360 - 1150 W. Munising Ave., Munising MI 49862