Norman "Norm" Mathis

1938 - 2024

Norman "Norm" Mathis, 85, of Marion, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A Funeral Service will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Norm was born on June 21, 1938, near Vinton, Iowa, the son of John and Irene (Railsback) Mathis. He grew up on a farm near Coggon, Iowa, first attending a nearby country school for three years, then school in Coggon, where he graduated in 1957. He met the love of his life, JoAnn McEvoy, at a roller-skating party. They were married on September 5, 1964, at St. John's Catholic Church in Coggon and made their home in Marion. Norm and JoAnn were soulmates, raising their family, growing their business, and enjoying life together. Norm was self-employed for 43 years and had an incredible work ethic. In 1958, he started hauling can milk for the Coggon Creamery for two and a half years. Then he hauled Grade A bulk milk for Sanitary Farm Dairy in Cedar Rapids, that became Land O'Lakes and later, Swiss Valley Farms, from where he retired in 2001. Norm was very dedicated and strived to do his best for his customers, which was apparent, as many were second and third generation families. He always took great pride in his trucks; they were shiny and spotless as many would often comment. Having lots of free time, within a couple months of "retirement", Norm started working at Truck Country as a transfer driver, which has lasted 23 years. It was an opportunity to see new places and meet new friends. Norm loved to visit with people. He enjoyed coffee at HyVee with his "coffee buddies", weekend breakfast group, and his Gemstone neighbors over the years. He enjoyed his cars and pickups, dirt track races at Hawkeye Downs, NASCAR, and Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball. Most of all, he cherished spending time with his family. Everybody loved Norm, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Norm is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of nearly 60 years, JoAnn Mathis of Marion; two daughters, Lisa (Robert) Sherwood of Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Lori (Alan) Hilgerson of West Des Moines, Iowa; and four grandchildren, Nickolas and Emma Sherwood, and Alexander and Paige Hilgerson. His family was his first and greatest love. He was so proud of each and every one of them. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene Mathis; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gerald McEvoy and Rose (McEvoy) Mullis; and step-father-in-law, George Mullis. Memorials in Norm's memory may be directed to Camp Courageous and the University of Iowa Stead Children's Hospital. Please share a memory of Norm at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.