Joseph W. "Joe" Matan, Sr., age 79 of Gary passed away Monday, May 19, 2014. He was born on April 5, 1935 in Gary, Indiana to the late Joseph and Anna Matan (nee Kowal). Joe graduated from Hobart High School, Class of 1953. He went on to work as a Detective for the Gary Police Dept and then the U.S. Marshall Service. Joe was a Nascar, Green Bay Packer and NY Yankees fan.

He is survived by his wife, Judith A. Matan (nee Knight) of Gary, IN; 5 children, Deana K. (Allan) Wardill of Mooloolaba, Australia; Joseph W. Matan, Jr. of Gary, IN; Mila R. (Dan) Sokolowski of Yorkville, IL; Eric H. (Debi) Matan of Hobart, IN., Rebecca A. (Bruce) Gonzalez Sr. of Gary, IN; 1 sister, Veronica (Joseph) Talavera of Mesa, AZ; 2 brothers-in-law, William (late Patricia) Knight of Hobart, IN; Dennis (Karen) Knight of Mesa, AZ; 1 sister-in-law, Karen Matan of IL; grandchildren, Tony, Danny, Kara, Bruce Jr., Jacob, Matthew, great-granddaughter, Sophia, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and his dog companion, "Sandy".

He was preceded in death by 1 brother, William Matan, and in-laws, Howard and Ruth Knight.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joe's honor may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

Funeral services are Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Rees Funeral Home, 600 W. Old Ridge Road, Hobart with Rev. Andrew J. Corona officiating. Burial will follow at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. Visitation is Tuesday, May 27, 2014 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel. Call (219) 942-2109 or visit us online at www.Reesfuneralhomes.com.