John Matthews Sr.

John C. Matthews Sr., 83, died Saturday, July 28, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girar-deau.

He was born Jan. 10, 1924, in Sikeston, Mo., son of Jack and Elsie Sullivan Matthews. He and Lois Hammonds were married Oct. 9, 1943.

Matthews was an agent with Standard Oil Co. 32 years before retiring. He was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Clay Matthews of Jackson, Rodney Matthews of Sikeston; a daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Harry Philip of Jackson; two brothers, Larry Matthews of Dexter, Mo., Lyman Matthews of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; two grandchildren, Martha Ann Stallings of Colorado Springs, Colo., Matthew D. Wiethop of Jackson; three great-grandchildren, Alex, Catherine and Zachary Stallings, all of Colorado Springs; three stepgrandchildren, Scott, Darin and Brett Philip.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Irene Hunt; four brothers, Jack, Reece, Joe and Jim Matthews; and a grandson, John Clay Matthews III.

Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The Rev. Geoff Posegate, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church, will officiate. Assisting will be the Rev. Jeremiah Reeve, associate pastor of the church. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be Bryce Matthews, Murray Sullivan, Terry Bryant, Benny Eason, Matthew Wiethop and Harry Philip.