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David Scott Mathews
1949 - 2017
David Scott Mathews
1949 - 2017
Obituary
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BORN
1949
DIED
2017
David Mathews Obituary
David Scott Mathews, of Naperville, died peacefully on January 13, 2017 after a year-long battle with brain cancer. Dave was born on January 1, 1949 in Chicago, IL to Shirley (Rosenberger) Mathews. He was the loving father of Stacy (Ryan) Speer, Michael Mathews, Kelsey (Jim) Gentile, and Tyler Mathews. Dave was a 1967 Graduate of Hinsdale Central High School and a 1971 Graduate of Yankton College in South Dakota. His passion was wrestling. He wrestled all four years of high school and college. He was a wrestling referee for 45 years. He earned many awards from the IHSA. He was inducted into the IWCOA Hall of fame in 2000, was a Grand Marshall in 2010, and earned an IWCOA Life Time Achievement award in 2013. He is survived by his children; ex-wife, Christine Mathews; sisters, Debra (Tim) Coulman and Darlene (Chuck) Sabia; his grandchildren, Katelyn, Madison and Ella Speer, Jameson, Walker and Kinzley Gentile. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Herman Mathews and his brother, Dwight Mathews. A gathering of friends and family for Dave will be held from 5:00pm- 9:00pm Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 at The Kendall Judd VFW Post, 908 Jackson Ave. Naperville, IL 60540. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Brain Tumor Society.
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Karen Downey Lunceford
October 20, 2017
I have always had a place in my heart for David--and DeeDee, Debbie, and Dwight
Trudy Barry
February 17, 2017
He was not only my amazing boyfriend in high school but a "member" of my family. I think of David every Iowa state wrestling tournament, which is going on now. I have been so sad since I read about his passing. I am so very sorry for your loss. I will keep his family in my prayers.
Kenneth Watkins
January 26, 2017
Dave was always a good mentor and a friend! I will always remember the many stories he told especially the one's he and I shared. His passion for wrestling was unmatched and I always had his ear if I had any questions coming up as a young official. The many memories I have of him will always keep him alive in my heart. I was truly blessed to know him and to call him a friend. I will miss the joy he brought whenever he was around. Know you have touched many lives with joy and fond memories. You are and will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace!!
Gay Burton
January 24, 2017
Our prayers are with Dave's family. I started scorekeeping at 15 at Barrington High. Because Dave was so good as a ref he would almost always be working at our Thanksgiving and Sectional Tourneys. He made those long days such a joy for me and we were always happy to see each other eventually just at the State Tourney as I had moved out of state. He was funny and fun...even out on the mat as a ref. Greg Cozy would tie the boys' shoes but Dave always had that ear to ear grin every match. He will hold a high place in all my memories of Illinois Wrestling. Thank you for all the lives you touched so beautifully. You will be so missed my friend. Peace be with you until we meet again....someday.
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Ben Black
January 24, 2017
So sorry to hear about Dave's passing. Dave was outstanding man and so easy to connect with on a personal level. We saw eye to eye on the finer things in life like wrestling and 16" softball at Knoch 1 in Naperville. Our condolences to the Matthews family.
Richard and Mary Jo Black
Luke, Ben, and Nick Black
Marty Hickman
January 24, 2017
I smile every time I think of Dave Mathews! He did so much for the IHSA and for wrestling in Illinois. While he was a great wrestling official, he was an even better guy! God bless you and your family.
Ben Black
January 24, 2017
So sad to hear about Dave's passing. An absolutely quality human being and so easy to connect with on a personal level. My family shared common interests with Dave on the wrestling mats here in Illinois and the Knoch #1 softball diamond in Naperville. Our deepest condolences to the Matthews family.
The Black Family
Richard and Mary Jo Black
Luke, Ben, and Nick Black
Jim Izzo
January 22, 2017
I knew Dave for a long time, but my favorite memory was in 1998, when I was matside for my son's regional final. As Dave raised my son's hand, he said loudly enough for all to hear,"your mother must have been good looking."
Great sense of humor, great man. He will be missed
Jack Leese
January 21, 2017
My name is Jack Leese and I have attended close to 60 State of Illinois wrestling championships. I can unequivocally say Dave Mathews was the most personable wrestling official in the state! For many years, following the grand march in Champaign, the wrestling referees would line up and be introduced in alphabetic order, step forward in the spotlight and be met with a chorus of boos, or a mixture of boos and cheers...but not for Dave Mathews.
Just cheers! Fans, wrestlers, and his fellow officials recognized his passion and contributions for the sport of wrestling in the state. Now, as the coordinator of grand marshals and one of Dave's fans, I was happy to see him recognized and be a part of this honor in 2010. Our sport will miss Dave Mathews and while he is in a better place, I would be remiss if I did not mention his close friend mike Wilkey who kept the wrestling community informed of Dave's battles to live. May Dave rest in peace and the fond memories of him last forever.
Howie Rosenmayer
January 19, 2017
I was a long time teammate of Dave's on the Mustangs, a 16" softball team, and Dave always kept us loose and laughing. My sympathies go out to his family on their loss.
ron oglesby
January 19, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Gregory Anderson
January 18, 2017
David was one of the best people I have ever known. He was always upbeat and smiling. He was also one of the best wrestling officials ever to wear the stripes. I have lost a brother whom I loved. I'm glad he is no longer in pain. I look forward to meeting up with him in heaven and listen to all his stories again. Rest In Pease my Brother......
Cindy Temmer
January 18, 2017
My deepest sympathies to Dave's entire family. I first met Dave while at Maercker School. He and I and Ron Jacobs always had so much fun laughing about everything. He was always a delight to be around. I know he will be missed by so many people, all of whom are better for having known him. God bless.
Stanley Douglass
January 18, 2017
My sincere condolences to Dave's family and friends on his passing. I knew him from wrestling at Hinsdale Central, where he served as mentor, teammate and inspiration for my freshman and sophomore years. He taught me a lot about wrestling but more importantly about how to live life with a positive and purpose-driven approach throughout my life. He will be missed dearly but remembered most fondly. Rest in Peace, Dave.
January 18, 2017
All of Dave's MANY Yankton College friends will miss his wonderful spirit and his infectious laugh. Our lives are better for having known him.
Joan Neubauer for the YC Alumni
Khris Whelan
January 18, 2017
I am extremely sad in hearing of David's passing. He was a class act and a very personable man. As an IHSA Official, they just don't get any better. He loved the sport of wrestling and it was what defined him. He will be missed tremendously.
Khris Whelan
edward howlett
January 18, 2017
My condolences go out to Dave's family.And bet all of you would like to hear Dave tell one of his wrestling again. RIP Ed Howlett
Dan Jones
January 18, 2017
Dave was the type of person that if you met him just once, he left a great impression on you. He will be missed!
Matt Zeman
January 17, 2017
Dave was the best! Great guy, Great official, and real funny!
Candace Pedersen
January 17, 2017
I will always remember David's smile and laugh. It was magic. He will be missed. ❤
Rex and Nancy Whitlatch
January 17, 2017
Dave was on my wrestling team at Hinsdale Central when I was hired in 1964. We danced at his wedding, were inducted into the wrestling hall of fame and given the lifetime achievement awards in 2013. He officiated many of my wrestling meets and always the Rex Whitlatch Holiday Tournament (formerly Hinsdale Holiday Tournament). We are sorry for your loss of such a good man but glad he is out of pain. Sincerely, Rex and Nancy Whitlatch Grand Junction CO.
john towle
January 17, 2017
Dave, myself and Matt Keller were roommates in the early 70s, when we were all single and spending too much time and money partying. He met his wife during this period and sadly, matured.
Some of my memories of Dave are; 1)He painted the walls of his bedroom the darkest shade of blue known to man, and it took us forever to paint over the nightmare when it was time to move out. 2) He talked about Lyle Alzado almost ceaselessly. 3)He spoke loudly, especially if he'd primed the pump, and or was losing at Yahtzee (We played for money). 4) He could run like the wind and was one hell of a good softball player (16"). 5) He was generous to a fault but unfortunately for Matt and I,he was broke most of the time,but still managed to participate in much of the fun(Trips to the racetrack). 6) Dave was the type of person people wanted to be around because of his positive look on life.
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