Eugene E. Mathews
Mr. Eugene Mathews of rural Addieville departed this life in the Washington County Hospital in Nashville on Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 10:45 p.m. He had attained the age of 94 years, six months and 15 days.
Eugene was born in Marissa on September 7, 1920, the son of John S. and Theresa (nee Peters) Mathews. Mr. Mathews served in the United States Army during WW II. It was while serving in Europe that he met, fell in love with and married Edna M. Davis on December 31, 1946 in Whitchurch, Cardiff, South Wales, and to this union four children were born. Edna preceded him in death on January 10, 1997. Eugene then married Ruthie Hedemann Ostendorf on July 10, 1999 in the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lively Grove, and she survives his passing.
Mr. Mathews was a member of the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lively Grove. He was a lifelong farmer and was a construction laborer with Local 459 out of Belleville. Eugene was also a member of American Legion Post #233 and V.F.W. Post #5596 both of Okawville, and a member of the Washington County Farm Bureau. He enjoyed fishing and hunting for arrowheads but most of all he lived for and loved farming.
In addition to his wife Ruthie, left to mourn his passing are his four children, Howard “Butch” Mathews of rural Addieville, Glenys Prest and husband Michael of Coulterville, Pauline Kramper and husband Ronald of St. Libory, and Donna Hundelt and husband Ronald of Okawville; five sisters and brothers, Sister Mary Anthony Mathews of Ruma, Mary Rubenacker and husband Melvin of McLeansboro, Margie Erb of Swansea, Joe Mathews and wife Judy of Freeburg, and Mary Agnes Mathews of Swansea; nine grandchildren, Melissa Miller and special friend Steve Nichols, Michelle Schwaegel and husband Kevin, Jennifer Bussen and husband Stanley, Stephen Hummert, Jr. and special friend Debbie Grapperhaus, Rebecca Pajak and husband Harold, Jeremy Hundelt and wife Pamela, Timothy Kramper and wife Kristen, Joel Hundelt and wife Kristen, and Mathew Prest; 17 great grandchildren; a step son, Eugene Ostendorf and wife Audrey of Okawville; two step grandchildren, Nicole Swoboda and husband Seth and Matthew Ostendorf; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews in Wales, as well as a host of nieces and nephews here in the states; other relatives and many friends.
In addition to his parents and first wife Edna, he was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lively Grove on Thursday, March 26 at 10 a.m. with Fr. Steven Poole officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Friends may call at the Campagna Funeral Home in Okawville on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again on Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 9:15 a.m.
Should friends desire, Mass offerings or memorials to St. Anthony Cemetery or to the charity of the donor’s choice will be accepted by the Campagna Funeral Home.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.campagnafuneralhomes.com.
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