WALTER MATTHEWS

Walter John Matthews, 72, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, May 17, 2001, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Feb. 18, 1929, in Griffith, Ind., son of John C. and Eva Clough Matthews. He and Elizabeth Jane Lang were married April 30, 1974, in Shawneetown, Ill.

Matthews moved to Cape Girardeau in 1962 from Owensboro, Ky., and was a salesman at General Sign Co. until moving back to Owensboro in 1972. He returned in 1974 and was a salesman at Shivelbine's Music Store until retiring in 1976.

He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, serving from September 1947 to September 1951.

Survivors include his wife; four sons, Walter Lee Matthews of Jackson, Mo., Mark and J.B. Matthews of Cape Girardeau, David Matthews of Owensboro; a daughter, Melody Hamilton of Petersburg, Ind.; a stepson, Hugo Lang of Paducah, Ky.; a stepdaughter, Rebecca Walls of St. Louis; three brothers, Don Matthews of Henderson, Ky., Mike and Pat Matthews of Owensboro; two sisters, Wanda Anderson and Lois Weideman of Owensboro; eight grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; and six great-stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, and a grandchild.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the chapel with the Rev. Clayton Smith officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.