Devere Alonzo "Lon" Mattoon

DeVere Alonzo "Lon" Mattoon passed away September 25, 2016. He was born to DeVere Stanley and Mary Louise (McCarrick) Mattoon on October 5, 1932 in Elmira, NY. He is survived by his wife: Katherine Ann (Smith) Mattoon; son, John Alonzo (Betsy) Mattoon and their children, Christopher Alonzo Mattoon and Gabrielle Grace; daughter, Andrea Ann Mattoon; brothers-in-law, Richard (Lydia) Smith, Willard(Janet) Smith and Timothy Smith; sister-in-law, Joyce (Kenneth) Oliver; cousin, Thomas (Cathleen) Cole; special nieces and nephews: Jennifer VanEtten, Andrew, Heather and Alexander Smith; special friends, Roberta Bedzyk, Helene (Alfred) DeCamp. After graduating from Southside High School and SUNY Farmingdale, he served four years in the United States Navy. Lon was blessed with remarkable talents in music and art, and was a self-employed photographer for 35 years. What made him truly special was his independent thinking, great sense of humor, and uncanny understanding of what is important in life. He was a true gentleman who lived a simple life and modeled the Golden Rule by showing kindness, love, acceptance, respect and courtesy to others. He enjoyed life through family, music, art, and the beauty of nature. He was curious, loved to read, and enjoyed children, teaching them by example to stand up for right regardless of what others said or did. He was humble, content, genuine. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Twin Tiers Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 8 Canal Street Big Flats, NY on Friday, September 30, 2016 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM and 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Pastor Paul Irwin will officiate a service at 6:00 PM. Burial will take place Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 3:00 PM at Woodlawn Cemetery where the Chemung County Veteran's Honor Squad will accord Mr. Mattoon with Military Honors. His guestbook may be signed in obituaries at www.olthof.com.