Glenn James Matl, 91, of Shullsburg passed away June 24, 2017 at his home. He was born on Feb. 20, 1926 to John and Mabel James Matl. He graduated from Shullsburg High School in 1944. Glenn served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery in Germany from 1944-1946.
Glenn attended Wisconsin State University-Stout, majoring in trade and industrial education.  He taught woodworking and refinishing at Beloit Vocational and Adult School for nine years. When he returned to Shullsburg, Glenn opened a woodworking shop on Water Street. He prepared the plans for and helped construct the American Legion building.  The beautiful wood workings in the Brewster Cafe and Cheese Store and in the Centenary United Methodist Church are Glenn’s handiwork. There are many other examples of Glenn’s gift for carpentry throughout the area.
Glenn married the love of his life and soul mate, Francis Stuempfl Sefton, in 1973. He became the beloved father to Fran’s 4 children: Marlene (Ken) Kaja of Milwaukee; Rosemarie Sefton of Huntington, W. Va.; Robert (Sue) Sefton of Raleigh, N.C.; and William (Donna) Sefton of Blue Mounds. Glenn had 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Glenn was preceded in death by his father and mother John and Mabel Matl; wife Fran Matl; and sister Doris James Hodge.
Glenn was the founder and first president of the Badger Historical Society and of the Shullsburg Schools Alumni Association.  Glenn and Fran inventoried all of the cemeteries in Lafayette County and indexed all the vital (birth, marriage, death) records by computer.  Lafayette County was the first county in Wisconsin to have a searchable electronic vital records database.  He and Fran actively supported the Shullsburg library and were enthusiastic genealogists. Glenn was a member of the American Legion Post 105 in Shullsburg for over 70 years and of Centenary United Methodist Church all his life.
A visitation celebrating Glenn’s life will be held on Monday, July 10, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Erickson Funeral Home (235 N Judgement St, Shullsburg.)  His memorial service will be held on Friday, July 28, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church (226 W. Church Street, Shullsburg) with Rev. Stanton Bockwoldt officiating, followed by burial of his ashes and those of his beloved wife Fran in the Evergreen Cemetery in Shullsburg where military graveside rites will be accorded by McCanns-Richards American Legion Post #105 in Shullsburg.  A light supper will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Centenary United Methodist Church or American Legion Post 105 in Shullsburg.