Elizabeth Charlotte Matthews

Elizabeth "Chiz" Charlotte Matthews, age 87, of Zeba, Michigan, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Bayside Village in L'Anse.

She was born January 3, 1939, in Zeba, Michigan, the daughter of George and Charlotte (Blaker) Matthews. Chiz graduated from L'Anse High School in 1957 and went on to work for 18 years as a switchboard operator for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. She had the tribe at her fingertips.

Chiz was deeply involved in her community and culture. She was a member of the Church of God, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and the Ojibwa Seniors. She also served for 12 years as a KBIC council member and on the KBIC Culture Committee and was among the first members to help organize the KBIC Pow Wow. Chiz cherished time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren-and found great joy in attending Pow Wows.

To know unconditional love was to know Grandma Chiz! A woman that no matter what roads you took in life was always there with knowledge, words of encouragement, and wisdom. A woman who was more like a place of comfort and solitude. Whose door was always open. A woman who yielded such profound compassion for her family, community, and traditions.

Surviving are her children: Michael (Sherrie) Sherman of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; Mark (Catherine) Sherman of Crivitz, WI; Loring Sherman of Baraga; Lori Ann Sherman of Pelkie; and Elizabeth Sherman of Baraga; her brother, Albert (Elsie) Matthews of Wisconsin; ten grandchildren, Eddie, Mark (Emily), Nathan (Jacquilin), Tanya (James), Matthew (Karli), Michael (Misty), Jacob (Bekka), Kirsten, Breanna, Charlotte; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Charlotte; husband Loring Sherman; and her siblings, Amos Whetung, Sarah Shelifoe, Donald Whetung, Theodore Whetung, Matt Whetung, Glen Matthews, Myrtle Tolonen, and baby sister Whetung.

The family will greet friends at the Zeba Hall starting Saturday, February 28th at 5 p.m. and will continue until Monday, March 2nd, with visitation from 9-11 AM. A Traditional service will start at 11 AM with a feast to follow. Burial will be in the spring in the Pinery Indian Cemetery. Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Friends may sign Chiz's guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com