WABASH – Dr. Robert L. Mattern, 86, of Wabash, died at 5:40 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, at Parkview Wabash Hospital.
He was born April 6, 1934, in Wabash, to Robert G. “Pug” and Dorothy Elizabeth “Dodo” Milliner Mattern. Dr. Mattern was a 1952 graduate of Wabash High School. He attended Western Michigan University for one year, Indiana University for two years and graduated from the IU School of Dentistry in Indianapolis on June 9, 1958.
Dr. Mattern married Barbara Ann Bonewit at the Wabash Street Methodist Church on June 17, 1956. She died Sept. 29, 2020.
From 1959 to 1960, Dr. Mattern served in the U.S. Air Force. They lived in Columbus, Miss., where he was stationed as a captain in the dental clinic for two years. In 1960, they moved back to Wabash to practice general dentistry and continued until his retirement in October of 2014.
Dr. Mattern was active on the state level of the Indiana Dental Association. He served as delegate to the American Dental Association and the Indiana State Dental Association. He then served 46 years on the Indiana State Council on Dental Education, serving as chairman six years, and the Indiana Dental School Admission Committee.
Dr. Mattern was a lifelong member and elder of the Wabash Christian Church and an active member of the Wabash Kiwanis Club, serving as president, board member, lieutenant governor, historian and had over 50 years of perfect attendance. He was on the Falls Cemetery Board, serving as president several years. He served on the Wabash City Council from 1963 to 1971 and the Paradise Spring Board for 35 years, including 10 years as president and was instrumental in clearing the land and planning the park. Dr. Mattern was on the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission six years.
He is survived by four children: Dr. Robert J. Mattern, of Roann; Diane (Rick) Kerlin, of Warsaw; Lisa (Scott) Mattern-Billings and Megan (Josh) Long, both of Wabash; nine grandchildren:?Chelsea Traver, of Lincolnville; Alley Traver, of Wabash; Maxwell (Morgan) Mattern, of Roanoke; Sydney Mattern, of Roann; Camille Kerlin and Carson Kerlin, both of Warsaw; and Karigan Long, Cooper Long and Cruz Long, all of Wabash; three stepgrandchildren:?Cord Billings and Paige (Garret)?Foutch, both of Lafayette; and Grant Billings, of Indianapolis; two stepgreat-grandchildren: Madison and Hadley Foutch, of Lafayette; brother, Thomas (Linda) Mattern; and sister, Carol Stefanatos, both of Wabash.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; and his twin brother, Richard Mattern.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23 at Wabash Christian Church, 110 W. Hill St., Wabash, with the Rev. Haley Asberry officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash.
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Preferred memorials are to Wabash Kiwanis Club or Wabash Christian Church.
The memorial guest book for Dr. Mattern may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
