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Sanford Wheeler Matchett, 79Sanford Wheeler Matchett, 79, passed away peacefully and went to be with his Lord on March 5, 2001, at the Charlevoix Area Hospital after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Sanford "Sandy" was born on Feb. 26, 1922, on the Matchett family farm on Matchett Road in Charlevoix, Mich., the son of Robert B. and Barbara (Kempf) Matchett. He attended the one-room Clark School located at Beck and Warner Road in Norwood Township and later graduated from Charlevoix High School in 1938.He married Agatha Beryl Ranney on Jan. 15, 1944, at Agatha's parents' home in East Jordan.Sandy farmed all his life, raising first dairy cattle and later turkeys and sheep on the Matchett farm in Marion Township, community of Barnard, in Charlevoix County. The community of Barnard was named after Sandy's great-grandfather, Bernard Burns, who settled on a homestead there during the Civil War.Sandy was a lifelong member of the Barnard United Methodist Church, serving at various times on the Administrative Board, as treasurer for many years, and as Adult Sunday School teacher. His community leadership included Barnard Community Farm Bureau group, Community Committee of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), and the Charlevoix Cooperative Board of Directors, serving as president for many years. He also served on the Marion Township Planning and Zoning Board from the mid 1960s until 1981.Sandy's loves in life were first his wife, "Gay," and then the rest of his family, especially his nine grandchildren, the Church, and being a good steward of God's gifts. Known simply as "Grandpa" by his family since the arrival of his first grandchild, Tasha, in 1974, he was considered to be the ultimate shepherd. He loved his livestock and took pride in his farming skills. He had a special love for his various farm dogs. He enjoyed people and was a compassionate and principled father and grandfather, faithful husband and steward of God's creation. Sandy also placed a high value on education with seven of his children and grandchildren entering the teaching profession so far.Sandy is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Agatha (Ranney) Matchett; three children, son Melvin (Judy) Matchett of Elk Rapids, daughter Joyce (Steve) Tchozeski of Belding, Mich., and son Tim (Linda) Matchett of Charlevoix, Mich.; and nine grandchildren, Marie, Brian and Julie Anne Matchett of Elk Rapids, Tasha (Ed) Stielstra of Duluth, Minn., Tennille Tchozeski of Charlevoix, and Isaac, Mia, Noah and LilyAnn Matchett of Charlevoix. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert B. and Barbara Matchett; an infant daughter in 1945; and sisters Margaret (Vern) Hurd and Ruth (Lee) Shapton. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, at the Winchester Funeral Home in Charlevoix. Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, March 9, at the Barnard United Methodist Church on Barnard Road with the Rev. Eugene Baughan officiating. Interment will be in Barnard Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Barnard United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund or to the Charlevoix Area Hospital. |
