Our dear old Dad, Matthew Powless, 80, went to be with his ancestors Saturday, June 20, 2015 at home surrounded by his family following a brief illness. He was born January 17, 1935 in Tigerton Wisconsin, the son of the late Peter and Marcella (Sickles) Powless. He was a Member of the Oneida Nation and longtime resident of the Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation near Bowler, WI. He had a humble beginning on the Central Wisconsin cranberry bogs where his mother and father worked. At age 12 he learned to drive and drove himself to school, worked on the farm, and to the woods where he worked as a lumberjack. After graduating from Tigerton High School in 1953, he entered the United States Army where he served proudly as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC. Following his service in the U.S. Army, he returned home to work in the logging industry and later in the Trades Industry where he traveled the United States and became skilled as a carpenter, pipefitter, and welder. He later joined the Millwright Union 2158 (Elgin, IL) and 1056, in Wisconsin, where he later taught many young people the art of welding. Dad not only took pride in his work, but he enjoyed sports and was an accomplished fighter not only in life but in the boxing ring as well. He also loved to dance at the casino and at pow-wows; he was a champion smoke dancer. Dad is survived by: his wife Sheila; sister, Sharon Funmaker; and children/step children, Jack (Jeanette) Powless, Peter (special friend Carmen) Powless, Keshena, WI, Noreen (special friend James) Powless, Green Bay, WI, Yvette Powless, Appleton, WI, Terry Powless, Keshena, WI, Shannon (Bruce) Wilber, Keshena, WI, Matthew (Lounese) Powless, Danny, Shelby, Nicki, Job, Cassie, many grand and great-grandchildren, as well as many special friends who were just like family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Iris, his brother Kenneth, and special grandson LCpl. BradLee J. Wilber. An Oneida Longhouse service was held June 22, officiated by Leander Danforth. Military Rites will be performed at his home on the Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation in Bowler WI on June 23, 2014 @ 2:00p.m. Internment will be private. Dad had a passion for staying busy building and creating things. He had a very big heart and was loved by many. Time to drag up and move to your next job DAD!