1924
Burton
2012
Burton N Matthews
June 19, 1924 — May 9, 2012
Burton Nathaniel Matthews, 87 left his earthly Covington home at 5:45 pm on May 9, 2012 after a 2 year illness. He was surrounded by the love and support of his family and dear friends.
Burt was born on May 19, 1924 to Ross and Pearl Christie Matthews in Shelbyville IL.
He graduated from Shelbyville High School and later enlisted in the US Army where he served during WWII in Europe as a member of the 82nd Wildcat communications division on loan to the 82nd Airborne. He jumped into Crete, Italy, Normandy, and Holland during his service. He was a Sgt. and made lifelong friendships with the Hopi Indians with whom he served, being named an honorary Hopi and traveling to Arizona for a visit after the war.
He married Frances Fleming at the First Presbyterian Church in Covington on July 25, 1948. She survives.
He was a printer at the Commercial News in Danville until his retirement in 1984.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and took time to appreciate God's beauty. He loved to feed birds and especially enjoyed watching the hummingbirds. He shared his vast knowledge of wildlife with all who were interested. He could often be seen working in the yard of the home he and Fran built in 1957. He lived there until January of 2012 when his health forced him to take up temporary residency in the Waters of Covington.
He was an enthusiastic follower of his grandchildrens band, music, dance, and athletic events. There was rarely an event where he was not seen in the crowd proudly cheering them on.
Survivors include his wife Frances, daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Herb King of Rockville In, son Michael Matthews of Champaign IL, grandchildren Ashley Matthews, Matthew King, and Molly King and a great granddaughter Rylee Matthews. Other very special people in his life also surviving are Richard and Rosemary Klage, Carl "Pete" Fleming, Jack and Barbara Macy, Hillary Macy, Ryan and Megan Elmore, and a host of other wonderful and supportive friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and was the last surviving child of 6 siblings.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a. m. Wednesday May 16, 2012 at Shelby Funeral Home with Zachary Rainey officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery with military services by the VFW and American Legion. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p. m. Tuesday. Condolences to the family: www.shelbyfuneralhome.com.
Burt was born on May 19, 1924 to Ross and Pearl Christie Matthews in Shelbyville IL.
He graduated from Shelbyville High School and later enlisted in the US Army where he served during WWII in Europe as a member of the 82nd Wildcat communications division on loan to the 82nd Airborne. He jumped into Crete, Italy, Normandy, and Holland during his service. He was a Sgt. and made lifelong friendships with the Hopi Indians with whom he served, being named an honorary Hopi and traveling to Arizona for a visit after the war.
He married Frances Fleming at the First Presbyterian Church in Covington on July 25, 1948. She survives.
He was a printer at the Commercial News in Danville until his retirement in 1984.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and took time to appreciate God's beauty. He loved to feed birds and especially enjoyed watching the hummingbirds. He shared his vast knowledge of wildlife with all who were interested. He could often be seen working in the yard of the home he and Fran built in 1957. He lived there until January of 2012 when his health forced him to take up temporary residency in the Waters of Covington.
He was an enthusiastic follower of his grandchildrens band, music, dance, and athletic events. There was rarely an event where he was not seen in the crowd proudly cheering them on.
Survivors include his wife Frances, daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Herb King of Rockville In, son Michael Matthews of Champaign IL, grandchildren Ashley Matthews, Matthew King, and Molly King and a great granddaughter Rylee Matthews. Other very special people in his life also surviving are Richard and Rosemary Klage, Carl "Pete" Fleming, Jack and Barbara Macy, Hillary Macy, Ryan and Megan Elmore, and a host of other wonderful and supportive friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and was the last surviving child of 6 siblings.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a. m. Wednesday May 16, 2012 at Shelby Funeral Home with Zachary Rainey officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery with military services by the VFW and American Legion. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p. m. Tuesday. Condolences to the family: www.shelbyfuneralhome.com.
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