Bert Benson Matthews

MATTHEWS, HOOK, TSIVINSKY, MARLETTE, CROSS

Posted By: David L. Skipton (email)
Date: 1/2/2010 at 19:46:02

Burt Benson Matthews, age 86, of Wapello, Iowa, died Thursday morning, November 26, 1998, at the Wapello Nursing and Care Center.

The son of S. B. and Daisy Lea Hook Matthews, he was born May 31, 1912 at Wapello. He married Margery F. Wilson on June 27, 1936 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; she died May 13, 1989.

Burt graduated from Wapello High School in 1929. He left the family farm east of Wapello in 1935 to work for Rukgaber Hardware until December 21, 1942 when he joined the Army. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII for over 2 1/2 years and was discharged on January 11, 1946. He then ran the City Waterworks at Wapello until July 1, 1952. He was a partner in the Corner Grocery, cutting and running the meat department for 28 year, retiring in 1980. He then helped Cordell Hagele at the Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home for many years.

He was a member of the Wapello Volunteer Fire Department for 28 years. He was a Charter member of the Wapello VFW Post 5166 as one of the original 18 members in January of 1946. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 112 of Morning Sun and a member of the United Methodist Church at Wapello.

Burt enjoyed his grandchildren and their activities, along with playing cards, billiards, golf and fishing.

Survivors include two daughters, Nancy and David Tsivinsky of Marysville, California and Marcia and David Marlette of Wapello; four grandchildren, Krista and Kenny Marlette and James and Cathy Varvel; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Fannie Cross of Wapello; and two brothers, William H. Matthews and Ralph Matthews both of Wapello.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margery; a sister, Nettie Hayes; and a brother, Robert Matthews.

The funeral service for Burt Matthews was held at 2 p.m. Monday, November 30, 1998, at Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home at Wapello with the Revs. Harlan W. Winter and Gene Matthews officiating. Music was provided by Pamela Butler as organist, and Wayne Gieselman as vocalist singing 'In the Garden' and 'How Great Thou Art'.

Burial followed at the Wapello Cemetery with military rites by the V.F.W. Glenn Allen Post 5166 of Wapello. Casket bearers were Kenny Marlette, Jim Varvel, William L. Matthews, Evan Matthews, Robert Matthews and Brian Stome. Flowers were cared for by Carla Grimm and Marilyn Smith.

Visitation was Sunday at the Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home where the family met with friends in the evening.

A Memorial Fund has been established for the benefit of the United Methodist Church at Wapello.