"To Gene's kids; You didn't know me, but I knew your folks and I must tell you, they were both a great influence on who I am today. I did'nt know Jane as well as Gene, but they both cared very much about the recovering community. They were always encouraging. And your father always had a smile on his face. Through them and a few people like them, they showed me that my life wasn't ending just because I could'nt drink anymore. They showed me a new way of living. Thank God for them and people like them who give so much of themselves in service to God and humanity. God bless you, Joe Beckey Community of Celebration"
In loving memory of
Frank 'Gene' Mathey
September 7, 1937 - November 29, 2003
Frank Mathey BLUE GRASS, Iowa - Frank "Gene" Mathey, 66, of Blue Grass died unexpectedly Saturday, November 29, 2003, at his residence. Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at the All Faith Chapel at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home in Davenport. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Buffalo. Graveside Military Rites will be conducted by the Blue Grass American Legion, Post 711. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 2, at the funeral home. Mr. Mathey was born Sept. 7, 1937, in Standish, Mich., the son of Carl and Geraldine Louise Ellison Mathey. He was united in marriage to Jane Nichols August 8, 1964, in Calumet City, Ill. She preceded him in death May 29, 2003. He attended Buffalo High School, and then served in the U.S. Army. He had been a union truck driver for many years. He is a lifetime member of the Teamsters Union, Local 135 of Indianapolis, Ind. He spent his last 28 years driving for Bandag. He was proud to have accumulated more than 3 million accident-free miles during his career. In addition to the union, he was also a Lifetime member of the Blue Grass American Legion, and a member of AARP. He cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing in Canada, and spending time outdoors tinkering in his yard. He had a keen sense of humor. He was a jokester and a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. He had 21 successful years with the 12 Step Recovery Program. His favorite groups being Buffalo and Muscatine. Memorials can be made to SPARC or a charity of choice. Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Wendy Fuller, Davenport and her fiancé, John Nosa; Cindy and Mike Hamann, Davenport; "M" and Ed Williams, Blue Grass; and Dee Mathey, Davenport and Wally Dodds; grandchildren, Chavonnah Mathey, Jake and Courtney Hamann, Jenny and Brandon Williams, Amanda Blaesi, Caleb Dodds and Deven and Brett Nosa. A great grandson, Zachary Williams, sisters, Joan (Mike) Cutler, Las Vegas, Nev.; Joyce Babcock, Davenport; Fran Tade, Montpelier; and Carol Runde, Rock Island, Ill. In addition to his wife he was also preceded in death by his parents.
Tributes
"Gene was one of those people that always had a twinkle in his eye that made you wonder what was comeing next. We fished together, rode motor cycles together & drank gallons of coffee on Thursday mornings. We had not seen much of each other lately but he made a large impression on my life as a sponser. Life has been better after meeting Mr Wonderful. I feel for your loss. don bekker"