Jeal Gilles Matzinger

Jeal Gilles Matzinger, age 58, of Grants Pass, died Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Rogue Regional Medical Center.

A Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 1, 2013 at Edgewater Christian Fellowship, 101 Assembly Circle, Grants Pass, Oregon with Pastor Matthew Heverly. Illinois Valley Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Jeal was born December 22, 1954 in Hollywood, California which explains his outgoing personality. At age five, together with his family, they moved to Laguna Beach, California. He studied Auto mechanics through high school and got his first job at a gas station and garage in Laguna Beach. He moved to Santa Cruz, California where he started a mobile mechanic business and played in bands. In 1986 he met his wife to be and they later married and became father to their beloved son, Nathan in 1989. They moved to Coeur D Alene, Idaho in February 1994. In 1995 he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. He miraculously and bravely battled renal failure, surviving many complications for the next 18 years. He raised their son, stepdaughter and three grandchildren with his beloved wife, Dawn. In September of 2012 he moved from Coeur D Alene to Grants Pass for the last lap of his journey on earth. He was a warm and lovable man and will be greatly missed.

Jeal loved performance driving; race cars; composing music; playing guitar, which he began playing in his younger years; rock music and performing in his bands. He loved and was dedicated to Jesus Christ, his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Dawn L. Matzinger of Grants Pass; children, Nathan Matzinger of Coeur D Alene, Marcie Leys of Coeur D Alene, Isabella Leys of Santa Cruz, Nicholas Unruh of Coeur D Alene and Sebastian Unruh of Coeur D Alene; two sisters, Dr. Polly Matzinger and Marjolaine Renfo and three grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Hans and Simone Matzinger and a brother, Tangy Matzinger.