Insook Matthews

INSOOK MATTHEWS

Iowa City

Insook Matthews died July 17, 2017, at the Bird House in Iowa City following a long illness. She was 88 at the time of death.

Insook Moon is survived by her husband of 58 years, Gene; her son, Mark (Gail) of Flowery Branch, Ga.; her son, Paul of Iowa City; her daughter, Maria (Cleppe) of rural Chelsea; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Chang Mo Moon; her mother, Hee Joo Lee; her younger brother, Hee Won Moon; and her younger sister, Insoon (Moon) Chang.

Insook was born Jan. 4, 1929, in Hai Joo Korea (now North Korea). She graduated from Ewha Woman's University in Seoul, Korea, in 1950 with a with a degree in English literature. She later earned a Master's degree in social work at Scarritt College for Christian Workers in Nashville, Tenn. In 1959, she married Gene Matthews, who was serving as a missionary in Korea at the time, and accompanied him to Evanston, Ill., where he studied in the seminary. In 1962, Insook and Gene returned to Korea, where they served as missionaries of the United Methodist Church until retirement in 1997.

A farewell service is scheduled for Saturday, July 22, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Iowa City. The family will greet friends beginning at 10 a.m. with the service beginning at 11 a.m. A reception will follow. Pastor Sean McRoberts will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Insook's life. Lensing Funeral Service is handling arrangements.

Memorial gifts may be designated for the Bird House in Iowa City or the Prayer Shawl Ministry of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Iowa City.

A more complete account of Insook's life may be found online at www.lensingfuneral.com.