Mathers, Larry Gene 1944-2008

MATHERS, MORITZ, CLIFFORD

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/27/2008 at 21:27:53

KINGSLEY, Iowa -- Larry Gene Mathers, 63, formerly of Kingsley passed from this life Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at United Congregational Church of Christ in Kingsley. Burial will be in Kingsley Cemetery. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. Saturday, with the family present 3 to 5 p.m., at Iles Funeral Home - Westover Chapel in Des Moines. Local arrangements are under the direction of Rohde-Earnest Funeral Home in Kingsley.

Larry was born Jan. 11, 1944, in Kingsley, to Roy G. and Joyce L. (Moritz) Mathers. He served five years with the U.S. Air Force with three and one half years under NATO Command in Naples, Italy.

On Aug. 29, 1970, he married Lee E. Clifford in Kingsley. From 1968, he served with the Iowa State Patrol for 32 years until his retirement in 2000. He began his career in Des Moines serving as a trooper/DL from 1968 to 1970, when he moved to Perry, Iowa, where he served as a trooper until 1979. During his career, he received the following promotions: sergeant, from 1979 to 1986 in Cedar Falls, Iowa, lieutenant, from 1986 to 1993 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, captain, from 1993 to 1996 and then major, from 1996 to 2000, both in Des Moines.

He was an avid bowler and loved to golf. He was a member of the Pioneer Masonic Lodge 22, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9127, the American Legion Post 663 and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine, all in Des Moines.

He is survived by his wife, Lee Mathers of West Des Moines; his mother Joyce Mathers of Kingsley; a brother and his wife, Ronnie and Nancy Mathers of Kingsley; his twin sister and her husband, Lynette "Susie" and Dennis Anstine of Kingsley; two nephews and their wives, Jeff and Jill Mathers of Lincoln, Neb., and Ray and Randi Anstine of Kingsley; five grandnieces and grandnephews, Alex, Dylan and Morgan Mathers and Taylor and Cale Anstine; his father-in-law, Howard M. Clifford of Des Moines; and a host of extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy; and a niece, Kristi Sue Mathers.

In lieu of flowers, the family has respectfully requested that many memorial gifts be made to Hospice of Central Iowa or a favorite charity of the donor's choice.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal, Jan. 12, 2008