Cecile Matthews

Cecile was born October 22, 1917, on a farm near Pisgah, Iowa, to Emma (Bock) and Wilson Andrew Hamer. She was raised in the Pisgah area and graduated from Pisgah High School in 1935. Cecile married Ben Matthews on June 2, 1935, at Onawa, Iowa. Cecile and Ben lived many years in Pisgah, Iowa, and raised their family there. Cecile worked as the head cook at the Pisgah Consolidated School. Cecile and Ben especially enjoyed traveling to the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Yellowstone National Park, often leaving at a moment's notice! They also spent some winters in Arizona and California. Cecile found much joy in the bounty of nature, enjoying long walks and finding beauty in each season. Cecile was also very proud of her and Ben's 10-year tenure at the Omaha Home for Boys as house parents and being a positive influence in the lives of underprivileged/abused children.

Cecile was a member of the Pisgah United Methodist Church. She will be remembered as a caring, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She reveled in the achievements and accomplishments of her family as children and adults. She and her husband truly enjoyed telling and re-telling the stories of the children in their lives.

Cecile died on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at Elmwood Care Centre in Onawa, Iowa at the age of 91 years, one month and 17 days.

Cecile was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ben Matthews on April 4, 2008; infant son; sister, Joy Watson; brothers, Vernon and wife Letta Hamer, Dwight Hamer; and son-in-law, Russell E. Davis. She is survived by two daughters, Benita Davis of Onawa, Iowa, Marcia (John) Kriskey of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; son, Roger (Nancy) Matthews of Mason, Ohio; nine grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; sister-in-law Margaret Hamer of Missouri Valley, Iowa and many other relatives and friends.