Emmett P. Matthews, 93, of Galion, died Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014 at Galion Community Hospital.
Born March 22, 1921 in Chicago, IL, he was the son of Leo and Maude (Prentice) Matthews. He married Verna Mae (Deisch) Blackford Matthews on Aug. 17, 1989 and she survives. He was preceded by his first wife Catherine (Ehrmann) Matthews on Nov. 4, 1982.
He served with the United States Army during World War II and is a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Galion. Emmett was a life member of AMVETS Post 1979 where he had served as Finance Officer and a member of the American Legion Scarbrough Post 243, Moose Lodge 303 and VFW 4329, all in Galion. He volunteered for many years for A Special Wish Foundation, Galion Chapter and enjoyed camping and dancing. He retired from TRANSCO Railway Products in Bucyrus, prior to that he worked at CONRAIL where he was a traveling inspector.
He is survived by son Prentice (Susan) Matthews of Millstadt, IL and daughters Frances (Tom) Pfalzgraf of Collinsville, IL and Kathy (Fred) Wagar of Carleton, MI; stepchildren Carol (Steve) Miley of Galion and Dennis (Kimberly) Blackford of Galion; 11 grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; five step great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; a half-brother and a half-sister.
In addition to his parents and first wife he was preceded in death by daughter Karen Raymer and stepson Thomas Blackford.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014 at Snyder Funeral Home Richardson Davis Chapel in Galion where services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 28 with Pastor Richard Genzman officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery in Collinsville, IL.
Full Military Honors will be held by The United States Army and Galion/Crestline Veterans Military Funeral Detail following the service.
Emmett and his family really appreciated the caring staff, nurses and doctors at Galion Community Hospital and wish to extend a special thanks to them.
Memorial contributions may be made to HomeCare Matters Hospice or to Crawford County Humane Society in care of the funeral home.
Snyder Funeral Home Richardson Davis Chapel in Galion is honored to serve the family of Emmett Matthews, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
