Mt. Greenwood Attorney Mathias 'Mike' Mattern, Dies At 87

CHICAGO — Next time you call an ambulance and are not required to pay cash before being transported to the hospital, remember Mathias "Mike" Mattern, the assistant corporation counsel for the City of Chicago from 1962 to 1972 whose work put an end to the cash-for-transport practice. Mathias, who passed away May 2, would say that he was merely doing his job and that all cases were directed by Mayor Richard J Daley, with whom he worked closely and greatly admired.

Mathias also handled the cases which settled the long-fought dispute to force the railroads to light the viaducts in the city to improve safety and help cut down on crime; successfully argued before the US Supreme Court to overturn a 1969 Federal Power Commission ruling allowing pipeline producers of natural gas to charge a flat retail rate rather than a negotiated area cost-for-service rate and successfully obtained a 1963 ruling from the Interstate Commerce Commission that reduced the fire insurance rating for Chicago which results in cost savings of $13B in today’s dollars for fire insurance to Chicagoans.

Mathias went on to practice law for over 55 years from his office on 111th Street in Mount Greenwood where he provided counsel to corporations, banks, and individuals. He was known for his community service work and for administering a college scholarship fund for area students. He served on the board of Alsip bank and served as the corporate attorney for Aurelio’s Pizza and also became a franchise owner opening restaurants in Oak Brook Terrace (now Villa Park), Downers Grove and Palos Heights.

In recent years Mathias advocated to have the Mission Act fully implemented for Veterans, the inquiry of which was taken up in 2020 by Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman Sean Casten and resulted in hearings on Capitol Hill.

Born in 1933 to Matthias and Agnes (nee McCormick), Mathias was the first born and big brother to Monica Doody (nee Mattern). After graduating from Leo High School in 1951, Mathias went on to obtain an engineering degree from IIT in 1955 and to serve as 1st Lieutenant in the First Marine Air Wing, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan (1955 -1957) and in active-duty marine reserve until 1961. In 1962 he obtained his law degree from UIC John Marshall Law School.

Mathias wed the love of his life Lois Ann (nee Aurelio) on November 22, 1958. They were blessed with six children: Celeste (Steve Wagner), Thomas (Sharon), Angela (Lawrence Hillegonds), John (Charla), Sharon (Jürg Büttiker), and Mathias (Christine). Cherished grandfather of T.F. and Mathias Meagher, William Wagner, Jessica, Thomas, Michael and Joseph Mattern, Elizabeth and Kyla Saah, Anna, Lily and Nora Mattern, Grace and Ariane Büttiker. Proud great-grandfather of Thi, Eden, Theodore, Sabrina, Thomas and Elijah. Fond brother-in-law of Michael (the late Monica) Doody, Carole (the late Gerald) Cara, the late Gerald (Doris) Aurelio, Anthony (Arlene) Aurelio, and Anne (Thomas) Bledsoe. Loving uncle and cousin to many.

A long-time Naperville resident and founding parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle, Mathias was known for his giving nature, helping hand, words of wisdom mixed with dry humor, as well as his ability to think above the fray to solve difficult problems for anyone who came to him for assistance. He will be deeply missed. His wife Lois, children, extended family and friends were dear to Mathias, who was known to host epic barbecues, fishing trips to the Keys, and regular all-expense paid family trips to Walt Disney World.

He is preceded in death by his parents Matthias and Agnes, his dear sister Monica, and his devoted wife Lois. His legacy walks on in his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and in the seeds of kindness he planted throughout his life.

Memorial Visitation on June 1st from 2 to 8 p.m, Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory, 516 S. Washington St., Naperville. Funeral service June 2nd 10:30am St. Thomas the Apostle, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. Memorial contributions may be sent to fund the charitable work of Opportunity Knocks in support of the work of cousin Steve Puiszis and his wife Claudia Marciniak to develop community-based residential living opportunities for those with developmental disabilities.

~ Submitted by the Mattern family