Phillip G. VanMatre, 44, of Calhoun, died Wednesday, May 3, 2000, at his residence after a long illness.

Mr. VanMatre was born on December 10, 1955, in Lawrence County Hospital in Lawrenceville, IL, the son of Ray and Jane (Slover) VanMatre.

He married Donna Slunaker on April 16, 1976, at Walnut Grove Church in rural Calhoun. She survives.

He worked as a driller in the oil fields for 18 years and worked for Midwest Transit Trucking Company for eight years before retiring due to his illness. He served in the Illinois National Guard from 1974 to 1980.

Mr. VanMatre is survived by his wife, Donna VanMatre, father, Ray VanMatre, mother Jane VanMatre, grandmother, Alice VanMatre, two sons, Aaron Lawrence VanMatre and Phillip Chance VanMatre, living at home, one daughter, Pamela Kay VanMatre, living at home, three brothers, Alan, Mike, and Robert; two sisters, Susan Medler and Nancy Collins, several nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and a few cousins and lots of good friends.

Mr. VanMatre was preceded in death by one daughter, Lisa Marie VanMatre, grandparents, Lawrence and Mildred Slover, and grandfather, Luther VanMatre.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)