Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
IRON RIVER, Mich. - It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of James "Jim" Matthew Matonich on Jan. 3, 2025, at the age of 80 at the Iron River Care Center.
Born on Sept. 29, 1944, in Bessemer, Jim was the son of Matthew and Evelyn (Lamport) Matonich. He grew up in Bessemer, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Hansen. After high school, Jim served in the U.S. Army, working in communications. After Jim's time in the service, he married Barb and moved to Chicago for his job with TWA as an airline mechanic.
Jim spent most of his career as a maintenance foreman for Hibbing Taconite. In his spare time, he enjoyed working on projects with his friends. He had a passion for classic cars, including restoring a '57 Chevy with his daughter, Missy.
After retirement, Jim and Barb moved back to their hometown of Bessemer.
Jim is survived by his children, Dan (Sarah Robinson) and Missy (Jason Moberg); his two grandchildren that he loved more than anything in the world, Mia (Calvin Muntifering) and Tai Matonich; multiple nieces and nephews including Stacy (Tammy) Westeen and Shelly (Mark) Sabol; brother, Richard Matonich and sister-in-law, Polly Jacobson.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Matthew and Evelyn Matonich; wife, Barbara Matonich; and sister, Patricia Westeen.
Visitation for Jim will be held on Friday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 11 a.m. with Pastor Mike Hill officiating with military honors provided by the Bessemer V.F.W. Post 3675. Burial will take place in the spring at Hillcrest Cemetery.
The family has chosen the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood to honor Jim's legacy of life. To make an online condolence visit McKevittPatrickFuneralHome.com.