Florien E. Matzen

Florien E. Matzen, 83, of Coal Valley, Illinois, passed Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at home surrounded by family.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 10, at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley. Services are 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Coal Valley, with Reverend David C. Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Western Township Cemetery, Orion. Memorials may be made to the family or to Trinity Lutheran Church.

Florien Edna Knowles was born on May 25, 1943, in Geneseo, Illinois, the daughter of Everett Kenneth and Verneil Louise (Hamann) Knowles. She graduated the class of 61’ from Orion High School. She married the love of her life, Darrell Matzen, on August 4, 1962, at the Edford Church in Geneseo, Illinois.

She was a member of Edford Church until 1961, when she became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Coal Valley, where she faithfully remained for the rest of her life. She served on the Fellowship Committee and the Altar Guild with Trinity Lutheran.

Florien enjoyed bowling, golfing, gardening, and canning. She loved entertaining family and friends at Matzen's Lake and especially looked forward to the annual Fourth of July celebration, weddings, graduations, family reunions, and hosting the Orion first-grade class each year. She also enjoyed her role with the Red School House Gang. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who never missed a sporting event or an opportunity to support her family. She also shared her love through cooking, especially preparing lunches for the Matzen Construction crew.

Florien is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Darrell Matzen of Coal Valley, Illinois; children, Mike Matzen and Bonnie Matzen both of Orion, Illinois; grandchildren, Kramer Matzen and Tori (Garrett) Hohl, great-grandchildren, Gianna, Griffin, and Grant Hohl, with one more on the way; sister, Marvel (Ron) VanVooren; in-laws, Ronald Matzen and Janice Jones; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Verneil Knowles; daughter-in-law, Kara Matzen; sisters, Dian Duncan, Karen Blackman, and June Matzen; brothers-in-law, Larry Duncan, Dale Blackman, and Bob Jones. 

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.