Obituary of Matthew Joseph Jordan

Matthew Joseph Jordan, Jr.,86, of Vineland passed away on February 15 after a lengthy illness. He was the son of the late Matthew Joseph Jordan, Sr. and Sarah Frances (Fisher) Jordan of Vineland. Matt is survived by his wife of 24 years Marie Panarello Jordan; his daughter Stephanie Ann Medina of Florida, and grandson Dominick Antonio Medina; stepchildren, Lisa Marie (Ehrlich) Rudderow and spouse Joel Scott and Scott Louis Ehrlich and spouse Katherine Ann; his loving grandchildren, Jacelyn Eva Rudderow, Nicholas William Ehrlich, Teagan Carina Rudderow and Breanna Grace Ehrlich. He is also survived by his older brother Michael Peter Jordan and older sisters Mary Ann Jordan and Josephine Jordan Walker as well as three nieces; a grandniece and grandnephew; and a great grand niece and grand nephews. Matt was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served his country starting in 1955, honorably discharged in 1963 with the rank of Corporal. His love of the Corps came through in everything he said, did and stood for. At the beach he would plant his American flags in the sand with pride and loved talking to any and all veterans who stopped by or he came across while vacationing. Matt Jordan may be better known to Vineland residents as Abraham Lincoln, whom he portrayed on Founders Day each year and at other historical events around the area as he was a certified Lincoln presenter and loved teaching the school children about Lincoln and the Civil War. Always a passionate advocate for Veterans, he was very active with veterans programs in the State, County and Community. He served on the Advisory Board of the New Jersey Memorial Home and the Cumberland County Veterans Commission always fighting to provide more services and activities for those in the Home. One of his favorite activities was serving as Master of Ceremonies at Memorial Day and Veterans Day services at Landis Park. He was a former president of the United Veterans Council, as well as a member and Past State Commandant of the Department of New Jersey Marine Corps League, past State Pack Leader of the Military Order of the Devil Dogs. Faithful service as former Commandant of Detachment 205 of the MCL here in Vineland and was selected as 2012 Marine of Year. He was also a member (and recipient) of the Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor. He also served as chairperson of the Mayor's Veterans Welcome Home Committee for the City of Vineland. As a Life member of the Marine Corps League, Sgt. Jordan held many offices both at the National and State level (61 years). He retired from many years in retail sales and management and his own business in landscape maintenance. He was also employed as storekeeper for the City of Vineland until 2008. Matt enjoyed being with family, dining out, and relaxing on the beach with his grandchildren and conversing with his grandchildren about their lives and activities. In earlier years Matthew worked with teenage groups as chairman of the Sacred Heart Catholic Youth Organization with religious, athletic, and social programs. A funeral home visitation will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 10am to 12:30pm at Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ. A funeral mass will be held at 1:30 pm from Saint Padre Pio Parish - Church Of Our Lady Of Pompeii, 4680 Dante Avenue, Vineland. Military and Christian burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 At the family's request in lieu of flowers that donations in memory of Matt be made to: New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home Activities Fund, 524 NW Blvd, Vineland, NJ 08360; Semper Marine Detachment 205, 2041 W Landis Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360 or to The Friends of Historic Vineland Association,108 S Seventh St, Vineland, NJ 08360 To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com