Paul John Matthews

Dr. Paul John Matthews died early Tuesday morning, Feb. 3, 2015, at his farm home in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 50 years, 8 months and 24 days.

Paul was born in Ames, Iowa, May 9, 1964, the son of Peter James and Mary Lucille Klaes Matthews. The Matthews were members of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames, where Paul received the sacraments of Holy Baptism and confirmation.

He was reared in Gilbert, Iowa, where he graduated from high school with the class of 1983. Paul continued his education at Iowa State University in Ames, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1987.

During his high school and college years, Paul was employed at various occupations, including: independent supervisory roles as a field worker, grocery clerk at Randall Foods in Ames and research assistant in the Department of Zoology at Iowa State University.

On July 2, 1984, Paul was united in marriage with Laura Jean Stumbo, his high school sweetheart, in Ames, where they made their home. Their union was blessed with nine children: Elizabeth, Michael, Sarah, Alexander, Christian, Luke, Therése, Mary Clare and Benedict.

In 1988 they moved to the Iowa City/Coralville area, where they resided while Paul attended the University of Iowa Medical School, receiving his doctorate degree in 1992. From 1992 until 1995, the family made their home in Mason City, Iowa, where Dr. Matthews served his family practice residency.

Dr. Matthews' medical career brought them to Denison, Iowa, in July of 1995, where he joined the Family Practice Clinic, was medical director of the emergency room and E.R. physician at Crawford County Memorial Hospital . In 2007 they moved to Emmetsburg, Iowa, where Dr. Matthews was employed as a family practitioner at PACH and Mercy North Iowa Family Practice Clinic. In August of 2014 Dr. Matthews and family returned to Denison, where he was currently in practice at the Crawford County Medical Clinic and Hospital.

First and foremost in Dr. Matthews' life were his Catholic faith and his family. In his spare time he enjoyed working on the farm, chopping wood and clearing trees. He loved anything "Cyclones," going to football games and watching them on television, all athletics, playing with his children, especially football, and was a strong supporter of all pro-life causes.

He was currently a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison and a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

His professional memberships included: Association of Physicians and Surgeons; Catholic Medical Society; American Academy of Fertility Care Physicians; and Family Life Advisory Board, Diocese of Sioux City. He found great enjoyment in his membership of One More Soul and serving as team physician for Bishop Garrigan High School and Denison High School.

Those remaining to cherish Dr. Matthews' memory include: his wife, Laura Matthews of Denison, Iowa; nine children and seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Ann and husband Jordan Troyer of Ankeny, Iowa, and their children Trig, Blaise, Titan, Bo and Cambridge, Michael Joseph Matthews of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Sarah Catherine and husband Ryan Wagner of Athens, Georgia, and their son Rhodes, Alexander Paul Matthews and fiancé Haley Bishop of Emmetsburg, Iowa, and their daughter Annelyse, and Christian David Matthews, Luke Thomas Matthews, Therése Margaret Matthews, Mary Clare Matthews and Benedict James Matthews, all of Denison, Iowa; his parents, Peter James and Mary Lucille Matthews of Chippewa Falls; eight siblings, Ann Cassel and husband Sonny of Shell Lake, Tom Matthews and wife Debra of Phoenix, Arizona, Catherine Nordlie and husband Curt of Maple Lake, Minnesota, Susan Ackerman and husband J.D. of Huxley, Iowa, James Matthews of Ames, Iowa, John Matthews of Huxley, Iowa, Peter Matthews and wife Jennifer of Huxley, Iowa, and Daniel Matthews of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Paul was preceded in death by: his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clyde and Margaret Stumbo; and two miscarried children.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 9 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa, with Father Paul Kelly as celebrant. Those participating in the Mass included: servers Mark Fakler and Matthew Fakler; lector Mary Clare Matthews; gift bearers Therése, Trig, Blaise and Benedict; and Eucharistic ministers were the presiding priests.

Music for the mass included Elizabeth Troyer and Sarah Wagner singing, "Here I Am Lord" and "Shepherd Me O God," Matthews' children singing, "Dona-Nobis Pacem," Christian Matthews singing, "Ave Maria" and "Song of Farewell," and the presiding priests singing, "Salve Regina," with Jean Cornelius as accompanist.

Honorary pallbearers included Ryan Wagner, Jordan Troyer and Christian Matthews. Pallbearers were Tom Matthews, James Matthews, John Matthews, Peter Matthews, Daniel Matthews, Michael Matthews, Alexander Matthews and Luke Matthews. The fourth-degree Knights of Columbus provided the honor guard. Burial was at the Matthews' family farm in Denison. Following the burial, all were invited to the St. Rose of Lima Parish Center in Denison for lunch and fellowship with the family.

Visitation was Sunday, Feb. 8 with a Knights of Columbus Rosary and a parish vigil service at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. The vigil service was led by Father Paul Kelly and music was provided by the Matthews' children singing, "O Danny Boy," and Christian Matthews singing, "You Raise Me Up," with Jean Cornelius as accompanist.

The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com, Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.

Memorials have been established to the Institute Advancement, Pope Paul VI Institute, 6901 Mercy Road, Omaha, NE 68106 or One More Soul, Inc., 1946 North Main Street, Dayton, OH 45405.