Maralene Elizabeth Matson

Born July 18, 1923 in Pekin to Roy E. and Artie E. (Kinder) Pfeiffer, she married Kenneth Matson on November 15, 1950 in Pekin. He died July 4, 2010 in Pekin. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Linda Wilson and one brother, Don Pfeiffer.

Surviving are one daughter, Charlene (Greg) Brown of Pekin; one son, Pastor Steve (Kyle) Matson of Rochester, New York; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Stanton of Pekin, Jamie (Jesse) Garber of Cuba, Ashley (Jeffrey) Nizzia of Pekin, Sarah (Chad) Krout and Cody Matson, both of Rochester, New York, Austin Matson of Buffalo, New York, Peter Matson of Rochester, New York and Paige Meyer of Stockton, California; seven great-grandchildren, Mercedes Stanton, Brittany Stanton, Hope Nizzia, Dennie Nizzia and Jarad Nizzia and Brandon Krout and Tyler Krout; three great-great-grandchildren, Jaylee, Ryin and Marley and one brother, Roy (Thelma) Pfeiffer of Tucson, Arizona.

Maralene had worked at the American Distillery Co. in Pekin for several years. She later turned her love for children into a home day care, where she became known as “Granny” to many children shaping their lives for 20-plus years.

A loving and caring mom and grandma, Maralene enjoyed crafting, spending time with family and shopping for countless hours.

Maralene was 60-plus year member of First Baptist Church in Pekin and was a former member of Maranatha Sunday School Class and the Birthday Club.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 6, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Steve Matson, her son will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1640, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com