January 2, 2018

Linn County News

Published Jan. 3, 2018

Thurman R. Mathews, of Marion, Ohio, died peacefully early Dec. 26, 2017, at the Kingston Residence. Thurman, 89, passed from this earth surrounded by his loving family following a battle with cancer. Thurman was born May 8, 1928, in Mound City, Kan., one of nine children born to the late William and Delilah (Whitson) Mathews. 

A graduate of Mound City High School, Thurman enlisted in the United States Navy, becoming a veteran of World War II. While stationed at a base in San Diego, Calif., Thurman met Rose Marie Fosnaugh. Upon his honorable discharge, Thurman followed Rose back to her hometown of Marion, where they married on March 5, 1950, and shared 67 wonderful years of marriage.

To know Thurman is to know he loved to work. As a self-made man, he believed in working hard, and in 1974 he purchased his first dealership in Mount Gilead, Ohio. His passion drove him to grow the family business to 12 dealerships, still operating throughout Ohio today. Thurman truly believed in caring for both his employees and customers alike, which became the foundation of the Mathews Auto Group culture.

When away from the office, you were likely to find Thurman walleye fishing on Lake Erie, where he and Rose had enjoyed their family cottage for more than 60 years. In the evening, Thurman was an avid euchre and pinochle player, and like everything he did, he played to win!

Thurman was a member of the Epworth United Methodist Church in Marion, the Marion Masonic Lodge No. 70 and the Gyro Club of Marion.

Thurman will be dearly missed by his wife Rose Mathews; four sons: T. Robert (Beth) Mathews of Sandusky, Ohio, Thomas (Renee’) Mathews of Marion, Michael Mathews of Oak Harbor, Ohio, and Timothy Mathews of Oregon, Ohio; 10 grandchildren: Robert (Jamie) Mathews, Danielle (Robert) Weger, Morgan (Chuck) Wadding, Shayla (A.J.) Hensel, Spencer (Brittany) Mathews, Clark (Abby) Mathews, Alyssa Mathews, Brianne Mathews, Andrea Mathews and Tate Mathews; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Neal Mathews; a sister, Esther Stanbrough; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Including his parents, Thurman was preceded in death by two daughters-in-law: Debra Mathews and Kim Mathews; four brothers: Allen, Joseph, Dick and Harold Mathews; and two sisters: Flossie Amick and Virginia Wilson.

Services honoring Thurman’s life were held Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, at the Epworth United Methodist Church, 249 E. Center St., Marion. Following the services, his burial with military honors was observed privately by his family in Marion Cemetery.

Memories and condolences can also be shared at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Epworth United Methodist Church, 249 E. Center St., Marion, OH 43302, or to a charity of your choice.