County Seat Newspaper
of Clare County

DONALD “DON” RAY MATHEWS

July 8, 1934 – December 13, 2020

Posted

                Donald “Don” Ray Mathews, 86 of Gladwin passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at The Horizon Senior Living of Gladwin. Donald was born July 8, 1934 in Hamilton Township, Clare County, the son of Walter L. and Jesse (Keysor) Mathews. Don graduated in 1952 From Harrison Community Schools. Mr. Mathews was united in marriage to Ms. Roberta R. Norman on May 14, 1955 in rural Harrison.

Mr. Mathews was a life-long farmer and logger, as well as spending the last twenty-one years working at Walmart of Houghton Lake in the Lawn and Garden Center, as well as greeting countless guests with a friendly hello and smile.  Don has resided in Gladwin since 2015, moving from Harrison. He was a member of Hope Baptist Church, Harrison for several years as well as serving the local communities with Gideons International. Don enjoyed hunting, spear fishing, yearly fishing trips to Canada with his brothers, traveling and camping with his wife, children and grandchildren, creating family heirlooms in his woodshop, attending his grandson’s hockey events and watching the Detroit Tigers. Don was always ready to lend a hand and help those in need.

                Surviving Mr. Mathews is his loving wife and best friend of sixty-five years, Mrs. Roberta R. Mathews of Gladwin, four daughters; Teresa Silkstone of Gladwin, Jan Howdyshell of Clare, Michigan, Kimberly Williamson and husband Bernie of Gladwin and Donalda Viens and husband Art of Jefferson, Oregon, eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two sisters; Donna Norman and husband Clayton of Harrison and Carol Wilson of Houghton Lake, many nieces, nephews and numerous extended family members. Mr. Mathews was preceded in death by his parents, three great-grandsons, three sons in-law; Terry Cushing, Mark Howdyshell and Brian Silkstone, one sister, Maxine Codling and three brothers; Bob Mathews, Lloyd Mathews and Walter Mathews.

                Celebration of Life services honoring Mr. Mathews will be held spring of 2021. Inurnment will be in Hamilton Township Cemetery, Harrison. Memorial gifts in honor of Mr. Mathews may be considered to: Compassus Hospice of West Branch, 3217 West M-55 Suite B., West Branch, Michigan 48661. To share an online memory or condolence with Don’s family, please visit: www.stockingfuneralhome.com. Arrangements for Mr. Mathews are entrusted with Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison (989) 539-7810.