Mathews, Leland Eugene (1951-2018)

MATHEWS, COATS, GREENWOOD, COOK

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 4/22/2021 at 18:16:19

Coburn Funeral Home, Colfax, Iowa/Newton Daily News, Newton, Iowa, February 21, 2018

Leland E. Mathews, 67, of Des Moines, formerly of Colfax, passed away Sunday, February 18, 2018 at his home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Howard Street Christian Church in Colfax. Visitation will also take place on Thursday beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will take place at McKeever Cemetery. A general memorials has been established in Leland's honor to be donated to a charity at a later date. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

Leland Eugene Mathews was born January 21, 1951 in Webster City, Iowa, to Lyle E. and Eva Miriam (Coats) Mathews. He grew up in the Webster City area and graduated from Hawkeye Tech in Waterloo with a degree as a machinist. He lived in the Des Moines area starting in the 1970s before moving to Colfax in 1979. He worked as a machinist for Woodford Manufacturing and Eagle Iron Works for 25+ years and at Methodist Hospital in maintenance for approximately 10 years. Additionally, he was the proprietor of Iowa Wheel Sports, specializing in repair, sales and service of vintage European motorcycles. He was well known as a dirt bike guru in the Midwest and won many awards and trophies for competitions across many disciplines including hillclimb, harescrambles, ice racing and enduro.

Lee is survived by his daughter Suzy (Dan) Greenwood of Illinois, his companion Caroline Irons, his sister Kathleen Mathews (Michael Retman), his niece Elizabeth (Chris) Cook and great nephew Thomas Cook. He also leaves behind a legacy of lives passionate about motorcycles whom he influenced. Lee is preceded in death by his parents.