Matthew Gene Edwards

THEBES, Ill. -- Matthew Gene Edwards, 79, of Thebes died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Monday, March 1, 1937, in Cape Girardeau to Homer Paul and Sylvia Jane McCain Edwards.

He and Diana Blumenberg were married Saturday, Oct. 20, 1984, at Cape Girardeau.

Gene was a very intelligent and creative man with a great work ethic. Among his many accomplishments, he was a pilot, owning his own airplane. Flying his airplane was a great joy for him. He invented the valve-spring compressor, on which he was able to get a patent. He retired from Delta Asphalt after working on heavy equipment several years.

Gene loved animals -- especially the dogs and cats he rescued, that he might give them a good home.

He was a member of Word of Faith Fellowship.

Survivors include his wife, Diana Edwards of Thebes; a son, Ronnie Joe Edwards of Thebes; three daughters, Gwendolyn Edwards of Carbondale, Illinois, Loretta Dodson of Cape Girardeau and Joan (Rodney) Simmons of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Rickey Edwards of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and two sisters, his twin, Opal June French of Bangor, Pennsylvania, and Julie Moore of Fruitland. He is also survived by six grandchildren, William Simmons, Zachary Rendleman, Tyler Rendleman, Lacy Rendleman, Cody Dodson and Holly Dodson; one great-grandson, Ivan Edwards; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Roshella Edwards, Rosemary Carley and Susie Thompson.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Cathy Hobbs officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes.

Memorial contributions may be given to Word of Life Fellowship or Emerald Street Church of God.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.