Obituary: Mathew “Matt” John Nowosel

April 20, 1932 ~ February 16, 2022

Mathew John Nowosel, “Matt” to all who knew and loved him, 89, of Sturgeon Bay, died early Wednesday morning, February 16, 2022 at Algoma Long Term Care where he was cared for in his final weeks.

He was born April 20, 1932 in Wilmette, IL, the son of Matthew and Theresa (Merna) Nowosel. (Yes, Mathew only had one T in his name while his father had two.) Matt attended New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, IL. He enlisted to serve his country with the United States Army, entering into active duty on December 27, 1949. Matt served until his honorable discharge from the Army on February 26, 1953.

Upon his return home, he was employed with various places in the northeast suburbs of Illinois. Matt was united in marriage to Shirley Mae Cook at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Evanston, IL. He worked as a sign maker for a few places before starting his own company, “Matt Sign Co.”, in 1965. Matt was among the era of sign makers, where information was still painted by hand. He owned and operated the sign company with Shirley until his retirement in 1995.

Matt served as volunteer firefighter for the Glenview, IL fire department. He belonged to and subscribed to the America Legion, while living in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Matt and Shirley moved to Door County, WI in 2013 and resided in Sturgeon Bay, where their daughter and son-in-law, Karen and John Haen live. They were blessed with over 68 years of marriage. Shirley preceded Matt in death on June 29, 2021.

Matt enjoyed stock car racing earlier in life and attended races for many years. He enjoyed bowling in leagues in Illinois and even bowled a perfect (300) game. Matt liked golfing at many courses: Alaska (between Algoma and Kewaunee), the Alpine in Egg Harbor and Idlewild in Sturgeon Bay, along with Rio Rancho Golf Course in New Mexico.

He will be missed by his son, Karl Nowosel of Rio Rancho, NM, and daughter, Karen (John) Nowosel-Haen of Sturgeon Bay; five siblings, Elizabeth “Liz” McGuiness of GA, Margaret “Margie” Klein of MN, Irmy Wilson of GA, Leonard Nowosel of, IN, and Teri Lyn (Wes) Frey of AZ; and other relatives.

Matt was preceded in death by his parents; wife; siblings, Gertrude “Trudy” (Arnie) Schneider, Erwin “Erv” (Dianne) Nowosel, (infant) Johnny Nowosel; siblings-in-law, Jack McGuiness, Greg Klein, and Ray Wilson; and other relatives.

His life will be celebrated, privately, by family.

“Our family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Algoma Long Term Care and Unity Hospice for the excellent and compassionate care you gave to our dad as well as the staff at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay. We would also like to thank the staff of the Door County ADRC in Sturgeon Bay for the help and assistance you provided.”

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay are assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Mathew may shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.