Eugene M. Matheny

Eugene "Gene" M. Matheny, Jr., age 74, died at home in Gahanna, OH on February 2, 2015 after a courageous 12-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Gene was born in Columbus on June 2, 1940 to Eugene (Sr.) and Barbara Matheny. He graduated from Linden-McKinley High School in 1957 and attended The Ohio State University and Otterbein University. Gene met his wife, Wilda (Wooten), when he was 14 years old and she was 13. They married on June 18, 1960 and have four children and nine grandchildren. Gene worked for Junior Achievement for 20 years. He served as an executive for the non-profit organization in Hartford, CT; in Buffalo, NY and in Columbus, OH. In 1986, Gene became Deputy Director for the Ohio Department of Travel and Tourism. One of the accomplishments during his 6 1/2 years with the State of Ohio for which he is remembered, was securing a state grant for the marketing of the Ohio Herb Education Center in Gahanna. Gene then served as Director of the Fairfield County Visitors and Convention Bureau for the next 13 years and was instrumental in building The Ohio Glass Museum in Lancaster, OH. This was his last professional endeavor before retiring in 2005. He was very proud to see the completion of this important landmark and tourist destination. Known to his family as "a walking encyclopedia," Gene loved history and was a life-long learner. He was an avid reader and seemed to have information about any given subject, from the latest movie reviews to world news. He never really offered unsolicited information, but if you asked him a question, you'd be well advised to have a pen and paper ready. When he wasn't at work, Gene was always at home with his family. He was a husband and father who put his family first every day of his life. He was a big kid at heart and loved to play with his adoring grandchildren. Gene is survived by wife Wilda Matheny; daughters Gina Sheppard (Shawn); Leigh Ann Rodriguez (Capt. Richard, USN); Kelly Ferguson (Dr. David) and son Nicholas (Kyla); grandchildren Tyler, Zachary, Clayton, Tanner and Alesandra Rodriguez; Samantha Murray (Travis), Kelsey and Delaney Ferguson, and Dylan Sheppard. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins. Friends may call 5-7 p.m. Thursday, February 5 at the SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL 1051 E. Johnstown Rd. (at Beecher Rd.) Gahanna, where the Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, February 6. Pastor Tim Swanson officiating. Interment will follow at Kingwood Memorial Park, Lewis Center. The family would like to thank the home health care and hospice workers who made it possible for Wilda to care for Gene at home throughout his illness.