Earl F. Mathews

Earl Foster Mathews, age 95, a longtime Athens community and business leader, died early Tuesday morning, Dec. 23, 2014 at his home after a brief illness.


Born Nov. 12, 1919 in Delaware, Ohio, he was the son of the late Harry D. & Marie Smith Mathews. He was a 1937 graduate of The Plains High School and had worked in the oil business with his brother, Neil Mathews early in his life. He owned and operated the Earl F. Mathews Insurance Agency in Athens from 1946 to 1982.


Earl served as Past President of The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and was an advocate for the highway development of U.S. Route 33 between Lancaster, Ohio and Ravenswood, WV. He was a 60 year member and Past President of The Athens Kiwanis Club and a former Board Member of The Salvation Army. He was involved with the initial development and continuation of Kiwanis Pancake Day. He was a member of the former Skyline Gun Club and K.T. Crossen Post 21 American Legion. He served as Past President of the Ohio Insurance Association.


Earl served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theatre and Fiji Islands. He was Battalion Commander of the Ohio National Guard in Athens and retired as Lieutenant Colonel from the Ohio National Guard.


Earl is survived by a daughter, Linda Milliken of Athens; two sons- Dr. Craig (Sandi) Mathews of Athens and David (Marianne) Mathews of Scottsdale, Arizona; six grandchildren- Steven Shevel, Jonathan Shevel, Sasha (Terrell) Boaz, Morgan (Ben) Mersy, Abby Mathews and Megan Mathews; two great grandchildren, Anthony Shevel and Graham Mersy; a sister in law, Mary Mathews of Columbus; also surviving are several nieces and nephews.


Besides his parents he is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Marilyn "Sue" Rowland Mathews in 2004; a son, Brent Mathews; a sister, Belle Reno; four brothers- Neil Mathews, John L. Mathews, Bob Mathews, and Deane Mathews.


Funeral service will be conducted Tuesday 11:00 a.m. at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens with Rev. Robert Martin officiating. Burial will be in Athens Memory Gardens. Friends may call Monday 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Athens Kiwanis Club will hold services Monday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Appalachian Community Hospice, 35 Herrold Ave., Athens, Ohio 45701. Military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by K.T. Crossen Post 21 American Legion, VFW Post 3477 and VFW Post 9893 Honor Guards. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.