Edwin Mattson

Chip was born on March 22, 1924 in Forsyth Township, MI to Albert and Hilda (Helpacka) Mattson. He grew up in Austin and attended school in Gwinn from kindergarten to high school, graduating from Gwinn High School in 1942. Except for his time in the military service, he was a life-long area resident.

Chip enlisted in the Army from 1943 until 1946. He served as a radio repairman and was stationed in India and was at the China Flying Tiger Base when WWII ended. He was discharged in 1946.

Upon his return from the military, he went to work in the woods as a lumberjack and at the base on the railroad. In 1950, he started work as a miner at Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company in Negaunee. In 1963, Chip started work at the research laboratory in Palmer until his retirement in 1984.

Chip married Anna Zanetti in 1969. During their marriage they enjoyed traveling to Colorado and Mexico to visit their daughter and grandsons. They lived together on Maple Street until Anna’s death in 2012. He still lived in the same home they shared and enjoyed visits from his family and friends. Chip especially loved seeing his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren from Gwinn and Colorado.

Chip was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, where he served on the council and helped in many aspects of the care of the church and grounds. He had been a charter member of the local VFW since his discharge from the Army. Chip also volunteered helping out at Christmas programs, St. Vincent de Paul and RSVP with his wife Anna.

All of his life he was an avid fisherman and hunter. Whether it was from a boat, canoe, ice shack or standing on a bridge you could find him year round with his fishing pole. In the winter he would hunt whenever he could using either a rifle, muzzle or bow and arrow. His family always enjoyed the fruits of his labor. He liked to work on jigsaw puzzles and read. He enjoyed going to the casino with his family and trying his luck. Chip was a lifelong fan of the Detroit Tigers and Lions and really enjoyed watching the Lions get to the playoffs and was hoping to see them play in the Super Bowl.

Surviving is his stepdaughter, Nancy Zanetti; grandchildren, Edward (Claudia) Hauschild, Michael Hauschild, Staci Zanetti, and Melissa (Melvin) Joslin; great-grandchildren, Anna, Natalie, and Andrea Hauschild, Isabella Zanetti, Megan, Madalyn and Michael Allie; daughter-in-law, Jodi Zanetti; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Anna; his stepsons, Richard and Douglas Zanetti; and his brothers and sisters.

He was one in a million and deserved all our admiration. A memorial service for Chip will be held at a later date and will be announced.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Chip’s memory to Grace Lutheran Church, 558 W. M-35, Gwinn, MI 49841, Gwinn VFW Post 5670, 54 N. Mitchell St., Gwinn, MI 49841 or Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855.

Canale Gwinn Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting Chip’s family where memories and condolences may be shared at canalefuneral.com.