COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME, 2170 HIGHWAY 88, BRICK, NJ
Francis Woodrow "Woody" Matthews, 99, passed away peacefully at his home in Brick, NJ to be with God and his wife, Barbara, on October 10, 2018. Born in Southard (Howell), NJ, to the late Herbert and Jennie (Estelle) Matthews, Woody was predeceased by his loving wife of 77 years, Barbara (Thomas) Matthews; his brothers, Walter and Herman; his grandson, William David Till and great-grandson, AJ Robson. He is survived by his children, Wayne (Dawn), Arlene (Buster) and Beverly. He was the proud Poppy to nine grandchildren: Chip Stoll, Craig Matthews, Sheri Robson, Matthew Stoll, Krista Bembenek, Justin Matthews, Jennie Hecht, James and Konnor Pratt; and thirteen great-grandchildren. Throughout his life, he was employed at numerous establishments. Among them were the Earle Naval Base in Monmouth County, Freit’s Service Center and his brother’s plumbing business in Lakewood. In 1960, he established, owned, and operated the Francis “Woody” Matthews Plumbing and Heating Company, servicing Lakewood residents and businesses as well as those in neighboring communities. He retired in 1981 from his business and lived his last thirty-seven years enjoying family and friends. He was an honest, loving, hardworking gentleman who always put God and his family first. Known for his gardening and maintaining his property on County Line Road, Woody always displayed a sense of humor, friendliness and athleticism. From pole vaulting with a tree limb taken from the woods on his property, to diving off the diving board at Wayne’s at the age of 95, he seldom turned down a challenge. Woody was a member of the Bethel (Southard) Methodist Church in his childhood, and upon his marriage to Barbara in 1940, joined the Greenville Methodist Church (later merged to become Christ United Methodist Church) where he served on the Board of Trustees and the Greenville Cemetery Association. His viewing will be held on Sunday, October 14, 2018, from 4-8 PM at Colonial Funeral Home, 2170 Highway 88, Brick, NJ. The funeral will be held at Christ United Methodist Church, 678 Fifth St, Lakewood at 10 AM on Monday, October 15, 2018 with the interment at Greenville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105 https://www.stjude.org/give.html Condolences can be sent to the family at www.colonialfuneralgroup.com
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