ROBERT J. MATHEWS

MOUNT PROSPECT - A funeral Mass for Robert J. Mathews, 86, of Mount Prospect for 60 years, will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, January 13, at Saint Raymond de Penafort Catholic Church, Elmhurst Avenue at Lincoln Street, Mount Prospect. Visitation will take place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, at Friedrichs Funeral Home, 320 West Central Road, Mount Prospect. A burial service at the All Saints Cemetery chapel will follow the funeral Mass. Bob was born in Chicago on May 30, 1927, the son of John and Catherine, and passed away at The Moorings in Arlington Heights on January 7, 2014. He grew up on the northwest side of Chicago and graduated from Tuley High School where he was a captain of the baseball team. He received his civil engineering degree from the University of Illinois after having served in the United States Navy at the end of and immediately after World War II. Bob worked as a Licensed Professional Engineer, initially for the Illinois Department of Transportation and then for private contractors, on major road, bridge and airport projects, primarily in and around the Chicagoland area, such as resurfacing the Kennedy Expressway, construction of the first bridge for airplanes over I-190 at O'Hare International Airport, bridges over the Des Plaines River on I-55 and original sections of IL-53, I-72 and I-88, to name a few. He was a fiercely loyal Fighting Illini fan and a longtime football season ticket holder. Returning to Champaign-Urbana for annual homecoming festivities was a special treat for him. Bob enjoyed bowling and golfing. He served as president and in other board capacities for the Mt. Prospect Senior Golf League. As a member of St. Raymond Parish for 60 years, Bob worked on many fundraising campaigns. He volunteered his time as a Sacristan and Eucharistic Minister. Bob was active in the CHRP program there. He was a Minister of Care at The Moorings nursing home for over fifteen years. Bob and his bride of 60 years, Jeanne (Schneider) Mathews enjoyed a full and active life together, traveling throughout the U. S. and around the world. He delighted in escorting his bride to the opera, symphony and theatrical productions. He was the beloved and proud father of Mary (Richard) Karcher, Robert Steven (Mary) Mathews, Carol (Christopher) Davis, Julie (John) Butler and Ann (Gary) Grant. His twelve grandchildren, Kari (Steven) Smith, Kristi (Urosh) Tomovich, Amy Mathews (fiance, Matt Styka), Steve Mathews, Toria Davis, Matt Davis, Diane Butler, Gail Butler, Bobby Butler, Laurie Grant (fiance, Jon McKinney), Elisa Grant and Mark Grant, and two great-grandchildren, Isabella Smith and Liam Smith were his pride and joy, and along with their parents, filled his days with caring love. Bob is also survived by his two brothers, Ronald and Willard. Having survived prostate cancer during the 1990s, Bob was diagnosed with another cancer in November 2012. The family wishes to thank the nursing staff, doctors, nursing assistants, therapists, and support staff at Illinois Cancer Specialists, Lutheran General Hospital, Northwest Community Hospital and The Moorings for their skill and genuine compassion. Bob fought the illness valiantly to enjoy the fullness of life with family and friends, including an especially wonderful Christmas 2013. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bob's favorite charity, St. Raymond Parish Capital Campaign, 301 South I-Oka, Mount Prospect, IL 60056. For information, call 847-255-7800.