James Mason Matschke
James Mason Matschke, age 26 of Western Springs, was born on September 23, 1997, and passed into eternal peace on July 2, 2024. James was the beloved son of Allison (Robert Little) Ash & Mason Matschke; loving brother of Ben, Will, & Ian; dear stepbrother of Ian, Brendan, & Connor; cherished grandson of David & the late Joanne Ash and Donald & the late Suzanne Matschke. He was the dear nephew of David Ash, Mary (Al) Fry, H. Merrill Matschke, Meghan (Peter) Geise; “uncle” T. William Merrill, & “loving aunties” Dina Calcagno & Aileen Pendleton.
James Mason Matschke lived with his heart wide open. His embrace was full and real, and it was without judgement, for all God’s living creations. For dear family, for those he met in the moment, and for the most delicate of butterflies with wings to be mended, he had a kindness that never wavered. His days with us were far too few, and they were marked with a thoughtfulness and compassion for humanity that leave a hole in our hearts and are a reminder of how much he loved all of you.
Visitation for James is 3 to 8pm on Sunday, July 14 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St, Countryside. Family & friends will gather at the funeral home for prayers at 10:15am on Monday, July 15. A procession to St. John of the Cross Church will follow (5005 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60558). Mass is at 11am. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
In celebration for his love of all creatures great and small, we ask that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in his name to Hinsdale Humane Society (https://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org/).
For funeral information (708) 352-6500
Allison, my heart is broken for you and the boys. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Patti Swain Stark and Dylan, Griffin, Ryan & Kelly
The Santi family sends prayers and love to you all.
Mason ,
As you know i Unfortunately know how you currently feel (I also lost my son March 2018) , nothing anyone says or does will make the pain lessen , but someone shared this with me and I didn’t understand at first, but I do now .
Grief is Like Carrying a Stone in Your Pocket
“The best way I can describe grief as the years go by is to say it’s similar to carrying a stone in your pocket.
When you walk, the stone brushes against your skin. You feel it. You always feel it. But depending on the way you stand or the way your body moves, the smooth edges might barely graze your body.
Sometimes you lean the wrong way or you turn too quickly and a sharp edge pokes you. Your eyes water and you rub your wound but you have to keep going because not everyone knows about your stone, or if they do, they don’t realize it can still bring this much pain.
There will be days in the future that you will be happy again, smiling will come easy and you laugh without thinking. You slap your leg during that laughter and you feel your stone and aren’t sure whether you should be laughing still. The stone still hurts.
Once in a while you can’t take your hand off that stone. You run it over your fingers and roll it in your palm and are so preoccupied by its weight, you forget things like your car keys and home address. You try to leave it alone but you just can’t.
You rest more peacefully than you once did, you’ve learned to move forward the best you can. Some days you want to show the world what a beautiful memory you’re holding. But most days you twirl it through your fingers, smile and look to the sky. You squeeze your hands together and hope you are living in a way that honors the missing piece you carry, until your arms are full again.”
Love
Peter & Judy
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this very tough time
Heartbreaking to lose sweet James so young. Love to all of you ❤️❤️❤️
Allison and family, thank you for the privilege of knowing and loving James. We remember him just as this tribute describes, kind and gentle, and also a joy to welcome into our home for many “play dates” while our boys were young students together at St John of the Cross. I will never forget how much he loves all of you, and how happy he is to be the big brother to Ben, Will and “baby” Ian. I have no doubt his love and kindness of spirit have not left but continue to live on through all of you. Wrapping you all in big hugs and prayers. God bless James and his family. Much love, Rebecca, Ryan and Aidan
This picture of your sweet, sweet James is perfect and I’ll hold it in my heart as I pray for all of you.
His heart was beautiful and special, and may it be an inspiration for all of us to love just a little bit deeper every day.
xo
Allison & Mason .. my prayers & thoughts are with you & your families. God bless James Mason.
Bridget Loeffler Wilhelm
Love you Jimmy! So happy you are with grandma. Can’t wait to be reunited with you and Jesus and everyone!
Sending a tremendous amount of love and prayers to you all during this difficult time. God bless you all.
Love, Justin and Sondos Reinhardt
To the entire Matschke family, I was so sorry to hear about James. I will always remember his smiling face and the year we sent together in Kindergarten at SJC. May he rest in peace. Mrs. Floros
Dear Allison, sending you heartfelt condolences and strength to you and your family.