Mathiem Liou

On the morning of Thursday, May 15, 2025, Mathiem, 90, died peacefully in his sleep at home. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Born in China on April 6, 1935, Mathiem was the oldest of 7 children, the eldest son. At 25, Mathiem married Jing Fong, with whom he shared nearly 70 years of marriage.

He is survived by his ten children, Ailian (Soh Ming), Thongbay (Ing), Aifang, Zhe, Amy Ai-Ing (David), Lucy, Jing (Rene), Lang (Phet), Chai (Danny), and Bing (Sam); thirteen grandchildren, Inchai (Elliot), Syhming, Christine (Robert), Kevin (Kelly), Jonathan, Bebe, Edison, Nathaniel (Jenny), Elizabeth (Mitchell), Nikita, Tyler, Mallaurie, and Aiden; and two great-grandchildren, Sebastian and Matthew.

At age 5, Matheim and his family moved from China to Laos, where his parents opened up a coffee shop in Pakse. He eventually took over the family business, where he learned to make French bread and served coffee for a living.

In hopes for a better life, on February 7, 1982, Mathiem and his family came to the United States. They landed in Washington state and lived there for 2 years, then moved to Saint Joseph, Michigan, in 1985.

Once in America, Mathiem learned metalwork.

After his company shut down, he helped his wife, Jing Fong, make lampshades at home. They both retired together in Holland, Michigan.

Mathiem is known for being very handy around the house and his love for lottery scratch-offs. He enjoyed landscaping and gardening and especially loved planting flowers.

A visitation to remember Mathiem will be held at the Dykstra Northwood Chapel on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Immediately following will be the procession to Lake Michigan Crematory.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the North Holland Cemetery at 11:00 am.