Rexine June Matteson

Hamilton - Rexine June Matteson, 68, of Hamilton, MT and Yuma AZ passed away March 21, 2013 at the Marcus Daly Hospice Center. She was born in September, 1944, in Klamath Falls, Oregon, the daughter of Sibyl Shupe Gibbons and Marlton Loftis.

Rexine was raised in Redwood Valley, California where she met and married the late Johnny Earl Wilkinson while attending high school in Ukiah. In 1968, with two young sons, Jeffery and Brian, the family moved to Hamilton, Montana. Rexine attended Vo-Tech in Missoula, and worked for the Bitterroot Clinic before becoming Office Manager for Dr. Ellis' office in Hamilton.

On April 9, 1983, she married Jim Matteson and they continued to live and work in Hamilton until deciding to attend Missions Training in Oregon, and Romania. Her big heart and love for others was prompted into forming Echo Ministries (a non-profit organization) with her husband Jim, to take groups of people and churches into Mexico for ministry, feeding programs, and construction of homes for disadvantaged families, with all the simple basic comforts and necessities of life. She's the kindest person, and the best wife and mother I have ever known. With a heart for the poor, she touched countless lives, and will be missed by many.

Rexine was preceeded in death by her father, Marlton Loftis; and her brother, Gary Loftis. She is survived by her Mother Sibyl; husband Jim Matteson; four brothers, Dennis, Don, Rick and Terry Loftis; her sons Jeff (with his wife Jonna) and Brian Wilkinson; two stepchildren, Brad Matteson and Laurie (and Douglas) Lehr; and five grandchildren: Jeff's children Kim and Nick Wilkinson, Brian's daughter Chanda Atkinson (with Chanda's husband Don), Brad's children Cale and Alexandra Matteson; and two great-grandsons Donovan Cash, and Hayden Micheal Atkinson.

A reception will follow the services at the church. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the ECHO Ministries Food Program at 11820 S. Cassidy Dr. Yuma, AZ 85367.