Benjamin Matthews

Funeral of

Ben Matthews

10:30 am, Tuesday, April 8th
United Methodist Church
Pisgah, Iowa

Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm Monday
Family will be present 5:00 ~ 7:00 pm
Fouts Funeral Home
Woodbine, Iowa

Benjamin Joseph Matthews was born May 11, 1913, near Pisgah, Iowa to Oscar and Vera (Comstock) Matthews. He attended Pisgah High School and Audubon High School. Ben married Cecile Hamer on June 2, 1935, at Onawa, Iowa. The couple lived for many years in Pisgah, Iowa and raised their family there. Ben worked for his uncle as a carpenter for 50 cents an hour. During World War II Ben worked at a bomber plant. His work included working on the "Enola Gay." After the war Ben worked as a carpenter on his own and built many houses in the area. The couple enjoyed traveling to the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. They also spent some winters in Arizona and California. Ben was so very proud of his and Cecile's 10-year tenure at the Omaha Home for Boys as house parents, and being a positive influence in the lives of underprivileged and/or abused children. Several of these "boys", now in their 40's, continue to keep in touch with Cecile and Ben.
Ben enjoyed roller skating, ice skating and playing baseball. The couple loved to take walks together and loved children. Ben was avid about finishing what you start.
Ben died Friday, April 4, 2008, at the Burgess Medical Center in Onawa, Iowa at the age of 94 years, 10 months and 24 days.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; son-in-law, Russell Davis; three brothers, Stanley, Vern and John Matthews; and one sister, Alyce McCall. He is survived by his wife Cecile Matthews, of Onawa, Iowa; two daughters, Benita Davis, of Onawa, Iowa, and Marcia (John) Kriskey of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; one son, Roger (Nancy) Matthews of Mason, Ohio; nine grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; one sister, Esther Enders of Watertown, South Dakota; one brother, Albert Matthews of Sun City, California; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services
10:30 am, Tuesday, April 8, 2008
United Methodist Church ~ Pisgah, Iowa

Clergy Rev. James O. Young

Musician Dan Hutcheson

Selections
"In the Garden"
"The Old Rugged Cross"

Honorary Pall Bearers
Omaha Home for Boys
Debra Hahn, Jean Marie Zutz,
Jacqueline Siefken, Mary Beth Kriskey

Pall Bearers
Mark Matthews, Christopher Matthews,
Jerry Zutz, John Michael Kriskey,
Robert Davis, Matthew Davis

Final Resting Place
Soldier Valley Cemetery
Pisgah, Iowa