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Robert Eugene
Matthews, Sr.
Robert Eugene Matthews, Sr. passed away at Hospice of Dayton, Ohio, on
November 20, 2012, with his granddaughter Jennifer at his side. He was
born on March 23, 1918, to Roy Eugene and Mary Agnes Hart Matthews in
Buck’s Corner, Darke County, Ohio. Predeceasing him were his wife of 70
years, Onda Fae Hopper, whom he married on June 22, 1940; his son,
Larry Ray Matthews; and his son-in-law, Milton Dale Aldridge. Surviving
him are his daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Fred Hoff; his son,
Robert Eugene Matthews, Jr.; and daughter in-law, Beverly Grooms
Matthews. Also, are his 7 grandchildren and their spouses, Jennifer and
Dan Bozone, Rachael Aldridge, Gretchen and Luigi Morfea, Carrie and
Keith Trader, Aaron and Ginny Matthews, Janelle Gannon and Melinda and
Gentric Isaacson. His great-grandchildren include: Chelsea and
Emmalea Bozone; Nicolas and Christopher Morfea; Rhianna, Hope,
Isabella, Eryn, and Rhys Trader; Amanda and Sara Matthews; and Rae Ann
Gannon. He was also preceded by his siblings and their spouses: Ralph
Leroy and Lucille Matthews; Kenneth Harold Matthews, who passed away at
the age of 12; Cecil Eldon Matthews; Ruth Irene and Lee Engle; Estella
Pauline and Chester Greer; Mildred Gertrude and Gerald Pearson; and
Edith Olive and Robert Martin. Surviving him are his sister-in-law,
Florine Martin Matthews, wife of Cecil Eldon, and several nieces and
nephews.
Bob spent his early years in Buck’s Corner, Savona and Jaysville with
his seven siblings attending a one-room schoolhouse, participating in
4-H, and farming. His fondest childhood memories often mention
his two horses Daisy and Maisy. In his teenage years, he met Onda
Fae Hopper, and on Saturday nights would meet with her at the local
five and dime, before they married in 1940. Bob was always a fan
of cars and machinery, as he proudly owned 34 cars in his lifetime and
retired as a tool and die maker from NCR and General Motors. Bob,
Onda and their three children built their own house under bob’s
leadership on St. Rte. 49. He enjoyed being involved with his
children through 4H, Cub Scouts and Brownies, Rainbow Girls and Demolay
Boys, and school activities. Bob was a bowler an avid golfer,
playing his last 18 holes at the age of 89. In 1946, his name was
entered on the Wheatie’s Breakfast of Champions, Hole-in-One Club Honor
Roll in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the 1960’s Bob and Onda began to
enjoy camping and traveling with local camping clubs and the National
Campers and Hikers Association, where he was an active officer. They
traveled through all fifty states, into Central America, and the
Caribbean. For close to 50 years, they camped at The Great Darke County
Fair, where he managed admissions at the Grand Stand for 34
years. They were selected as the 2011 Grand Marshalls of the
Great Darke County Fair Parade. Together they enjoyed spending time
with Onda’s sisters, “the Hopper girls”, and their husbands,
Ellen and Paul Peters, Patricia and Ralph Pottkotter, Myrna Detling,
and Carol and Jim Hart. Over the years, Bob and Onda frequently
attended Fort Jefferson United Methodist Church, functions of area
Senior Citizens clubs, dined out with their camping friends, and
participated in Masonic and Shriners activities.
Bob was a member of the Greenville Masonic Lodge #143; Ancient Accepted
Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton where he was a 32nd Degree Mason;
Antioch Shrine of Dayton and the Darke County Shrine Club.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 23, 2012 from 6:00
to 8:00 P.M. with A Masonic Memorial Service conducted by the
Greenville Masonic Lodge at 7:45 P.M. followed by the Scottish Rite
Ring Service at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville. A funeral
service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at
the funeral home with Pastor Hershel Fee officiating. Burial will
follow in Greenville Township Memorial Gardens in Darke County. A
luncheon will follow graveside services with details announced at the
funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Ft. Jefferson
United Methodist Church or the Darke County Shrine Club. Condolences
for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
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