John J. Matthias, 85, of Teronda West, died March 13, 2006 in Arizona.

John was born June 30, 1920 in Washburn, Wis., to John and Margaret Matthias. He served in the European Theater of Operations in World War II, in the 8th Army Air Corps as a truck driver. He also served in the Civilian Conservation Corps.

After settling in Oregon, he worked as a maintenance engineer for the Beaverton School District. John was known as a great thinker and inventor and enjoyed helping friends and neighbors in finding solutions to everyday problems. He had a strong work ethic and enjoyed staying busy as everyone at the Greenbank Farm knows.

John volunteered at the Greenbank Farm for many years and could always be seen on the tractors around the farm. He enjoyed repairing old tractors, forklifts, and anything with a motor. He loved wood working and used exotic woods in creating bowls, ink pens and even a casket for his daughter Gerri’s pet cat. He lived in Teronda West for 10 years.

Survivors include three daughters, Lois Wildman of Camano Island, Gerri Sheedy of Teronda West, and JoAnn Charlton of Yelm; three sons, James Morrison of Redmond, Ore., Jesse Matthias of Puyallup and Ray Matthias of Oklahoma City; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by his wife of 18 years, Catherine, in 1988,; a son, John R Matthias, in 1964,; six sisters, and five brothers.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Greenbank Farm Saturday, April 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to either Hospice or The Salvation Army.