Our dear old Dad, Matthew Powless, 80, went to be with his ancestors Saturday, June 20, 2015, at home surrounded by his family following a brief illness. He was born Jan. 17, 1935, in Tigerton, the son of the late Peter and Marcella (Sickles) Powless.
He was a member of the Oneida Nation and longtime resident of the Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation near Bowler. He had a humble beginning on the Central Wisconsin cranberry bogs where his mother and father worked. At age 12 he learned to drive and drove himself to school, to work on the farm and to the woods where he worked as a lumberjack. After graduating from Tigerton High School in 1953, he entered the United States Army, which he served proudly as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Following his service in the U.S. Army, he returned home to work in the logging industry and later in the trades industry. He traveled the United States and became skilled as a carpenter, pipe fitter and welder. He later joined the Millwright Union 2158 and 1056 in Wisconsin, where he later taught many young people the art of welding. Dad not only took pride in his work, he also enjoyed sports and was an accomplished fighter, not only in life but in the boxing ring as well. He also loved to dance at the casino and at pow-wows; he was a champion smoke dancer.
Dad is survived by his wife, Sheila; sister, Sharon Funmaker; and children/stepchildren, Jack (Jeanette) Powless, Peter (special friend Carmen) Powless, Keshena, Noreen (special friend James) Powless, Green Bay, Yvette Powless, Appleton, Terry Powless, Keshena, Shannon (Bruce) Wilber, Keshena, Matthew (Lounese) Powless, Danny, Nicki, Job, Cassie; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as many special friends who were just like family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Iris; his brother, Kenneth; and special grandson, Lance Cpl. BradLee J. Wilber.
An Oneida Longhouse service was held June 22 officiated by Leander Danforth. Military rites were performed at his home on the Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation in Bowler on June 23, 2015, at 2 p.m. Internment was private.
Dad had a passion for staying busy building and creating things. He had a very big heart and was loved by many. Time to drag up and move to your next job, Dad!
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