John Paul Matthews , age 91, of Ruskin, FL, formerly of Lake Carroll, IL passed away Monday, October 14, 2024 at Sun City Hospice Home in Ruskin.

John was born in Latvia.  He spent the war years in DP camps in Germany.  He emigrated to the United States through Ellis Island in 1950.  He was a great patriot, changing his name to Matthews and enlisting in the US Army.  He served our country as a medic in the Korean conflict.

John married his wife, Colleen, in 1955.  They had three children.  He is survived by his two sons, Tom (Donna) and Wayne (Mary).  He has 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Shannon with a visitation at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at St. Wendelin Catholic Cemetery.