Barbara Matus

Services for Barbara Matus, 78, of Deanville are set for 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 15, 2016 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Deanville with Pastor Terry Moon officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. A visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2016 at Strickland Funeral Home in Caldwell. Mrs. Matus passed away on July 11, 2016 in Temple, Texas.

Barbara was born May 28, 1938 to Fritz Drahem and Minnie Schroeder Drahem in Caldwell, Texas.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Fred Drahem; sisters, Mildred Gaas, Ruth Peters; daughter, Susan Matus; and great grandson, Garrett Cantrell.

Barbara enjoyed reading, decorating her home, and working at Christian Care Store. She loved her family and never forgot any of their birthdays. She loved working with her plants in the yard, bird watching, wind chimes, home making and taking care of her family. Barbara was loved and will be greatly missed by her family.

She is survived by her husband Jodie Matus of Caldwell; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark & Laura Matus of College Station, Jodie & Patricia Matus of Katy, Charles Matus of Caldwell; daughters and son-in-law, Anita Clark of Caldwell, Carrie & Henry Cantrell of Clute, Dianna Backus of Oregon; sister, Flo Boscarino of Spring; grandchildren, Melissa Marvitz, Amy Shuler, Stephen Sanchez, Martika Clark, Dustin Arnold, Sarah Bond, Ashley Briggs, Mark Matus, Jr., Michael Cantrell, Trey Cantrell, Brian Cantrell, Stacie Cantrell, Joshua Cantrell, Megan Matus; great grandchildren, Nathanial Marvitz, Emily Miller, Omar Barbosa, Aquaila Barbosa, Michael Winters, Sienna Shuler, Merrily Arnold, Dustin Arnold, Jr., Aceland Arnold, Jr., Bailey Erickson, Logan Cantrell, Ryan Cantrell, Micha Cantrell; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Pallbearers will be: Mark Matus, Jr., Stephen Sanchez, Rusty Gotcher, Albert Matus, Jr., Blane Anderson, and Trey Cantrell.

When we lose a loved one, it often feels as though we lose a part of ourselves along with them. Memories are tinged with the pain of loss, and correspondence is no longer a tangible experience. Our family has lost a Mother, A wife, and a grandmother. We have lost a friend and a confidant, and for a small few, maybe even an accomplice. In the midst of pain and loss we must remember what makes that loss so significant. Grandma was the matriarch, whose strongest power was her unwavering love and simple grace that she bestowed upon everyone who knew her. A dedicated animal lover who couldn't find it in her to turn away the strays- but ended up giving them names instead. Her family was her center, she loved all of us unconditionally, and indefinitely. She jumped at the opportunity to lend a helping hand, and was always overjoyed to spend time with those she loved. Through all of us, the mothers and the fathers that learned from her, runs a common thread that she ultimately created within this family; the knowledge and experience of true unconditional love and dedication- a gift we are able to give to those we love, because she showed us how. Through our grief let us remember the gift of her life we all had the opportunity to share. Let us keep her alive in our hearts. Let us honor her with the happiness we get from our fondest memories of her, and hold tight to the parts of us that came from her. Let us be grateful for all of these things- she would insist upon it.

The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church General Fund, but flowers are welcome.

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