MATTHEWS, Jason Brett 1960-1971

MATTHEWS, GILL

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 1/20/2013 at 14:56:13

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Sunday, May 9, 1971, Waterloo, Iowa]

Jason Matthews, 11, Drowns on Church Outing

Jason Brett Matthews, 11-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. James Matthews of 1225 Downing Ave., drowned about 11 a.m. yesterday while wading below the dam in a stream at the at the Backbone State Park. He was attending a church picnic.

Jason was a member of a group from Immanuel Baptist Church, 2401 Sager Avenue, attending the outing. His brother, Todd, 10, who was also wading in the pool formed by the dam, narrowly escaped drowning, it was reported.

Delaware County sheriff's officers said Jason stepped into a deep hole in the pond. He could not swim.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 tomorrow at Immanuel Baptist Church with the Rev. Claude McFerron, pastor, officiating.

Frineds may call at eh Chapel of Memories West after 4 p.m. today. The body will be taken to the church at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, where friends may view until service time.

The body later will be sent to the Jim Thomas Funeral Home at Commerce, Oklahoma where services are tentatively set for Wednesday with burial in McGlauglin Cemetery there.

Jason was born April 14, 1960, in Miami, the son of James and Effie Gill Mathews. He was a student in the fifth grade at Black Hawk School and a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church. He also played the drums for the Chevaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.

Survivors include his parents; a brother, Todd, 10, a sister, Shelley, 6, both at home; the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Gill, Miami, Oklahoma.