Ralph P. Van Matre, 74 of Olney, former Postmaster here, died Sunday night, February 4, 1962 in Richland Memorial Hospital.

Ralph was born June 13, 1887 in Calhoun, Illinois, son of Joseph B. and Rosa E. (Pitzer) Van Matre, and came to Olney as a young man. He married Elizabeth Boone in 1928.

Mr. Van Matre was Postmaster here from 1933 to 1953. A property owner, he developed the Fairlawn Subdivision which was opened here in 1928. For a number of years he was a wholesale grocery salesman and later operated his own store, Van Matre’s Grocery at Van and E. Main Sts.

He was a civic minded member of the community, holding membership in the Elks and Moose Lodges, Lions and Olney Rotary Clubs and the Elm Street Christian Church.

Mr. Van Matre is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; daughters, Helen Holtz, Olney, Nan Shafer, Olney, Louise Turpin, Champaign; sons, Joe and Frank Van Matre of Springfield, Illinois and grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Burial in Haven Hill Cemetery, Olney

Herald & Review (Decatur, IL) – Tuesday, February 6, 1962