Marilyn Sue Mathews

Marilyn Sue (Chamberlain) Mathews, of Rochester, IL, formerly of Griggsville departed this earth to meet with her beloved Savior, family, and friends on that beautiful shore at 4:10 a.m. on May 2, 2025.
Marilyn was born on July 11, 1932, in Pittsfield, IL, where she grew up on a farm. She was the daughter of Aaron V. and Sue (Easley) Chamberlain, and married James Arthur "Art" Mathews on March 1, 1952. She and Art sought to provide their family a life filled with adventure, whether watching birds and catching butterflies on the family Christmas tree farm in Liberty, IL; raising and showing sheep at the fair; camping vacations to Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Texas, and Canada; or enjoying that special spot on Lake Pittsfield, that had once been part of the Chamberlain family farm. Art preceded her in passing on September 6, 2015.
She is survived by children: Randy (Joyce) Mathews of Springfield, Greg (Linda) Mathews of Liberty, and Mitch (Courtney Tang) Mathews of Geneva, Illinois; grandchildren: Garret (Jean) Mathews of Lake Wylie, SC, Carrie (George) Tucker of Rochester, IL, Brett (Emily) Mathews of Camp Point, IL, Erin (Todd) Abel of Springfield, IL, Lindsay Dugan of Griggsville, IL, Tyler (Dr. Jennifer Lee) Mathews of San Antonio, TX, and Audrey, Hunter, and Finley Mathews of Geneva, IL, and great-grandchildren: Julie, Logan, Lucy, Kenna, Connor, Claire, Ruth, Clayton, Katelyn, Oliver, Alex, and Caden, and sister Esther Bowen of Jacksonville, IL.
In addition to her husband, Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Julie Kay Mathews, three sisters: Ruth Weil, Mary Betty Chamberlain, Barbara Jean Chamberlain, and four brothers: Aaron Lee Chamberlain, Thomas Chamberlain, Kyle Chamberlain, and Neal Chamberlain.
She was a graduate of Pittsfield High School and the Blessing School of Nursing, and utilized her nurses training in many different roles in hospital and elsewhere throughout her life.
Marilyn accepted Jesus Christ as a young girl and her faith remained her anchor throughout life's trials and triumphs. She was a fierce advocate for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and would frequently drop everything to come to the rescue, no matter how ill-advised the cause may have seemed. She was quick to carve up and fry a chicken and mash some potatoes for Sunday lunch, or whip up a batch of her chicken and biscuits for special occasions – always ready to make her family feel loved and at-home. She was very creative, and never afraid to employ her imagination with new things like trimming and shaping Christmas trees, polishing stones, playing an auto harp or dulcimer, wood carving, making wooden toys for the family business, laying ceramic tile, or painting. Her flower beds were always beautiful to behold.
She had a silly sense of humor, and was a tenacious competitor; not to be outdone on the bowling lane, in passionate debate, or on the water fishing. She loved fishing for crappie in Lake Pittsfield, walleye in the Canadian northwoods, speckled trout, shrimp, and redfish on the South Carolina coast, and whiting in the South Padre Island, Texas surf.
She will be missed – until we meet again.
The family will receive friends at the Airsman-Hires Funeral Home at 1232 W Washington St, Pittsfield, IL, on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 am, Funeral services will follow, beginning at 11:00 a.m., and interment directly afterwards at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery on 270th Ave, Pittsfield, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either to Hands of God Hospice in Springfield, IL or to the Pike County Historical Society. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.