Charles Clark Matheny

27 Sep 1942 to 19 Jan 2026

Charles “Doc” Matheny left these worldly boundaries on January 19, 2026. Chuck (Doc) enjoyed life and making people smile. His favorite motto was to begin each day with a smile and greet each person with a smile and firm handshake. Born in Clover, West Virginia, he was the son of L. Marie Suscavage (Matheny) and John Brooks Matheny, who was killed in action in France (Nov 20, 1944) during WWII and his stepfather Joseph Suscavage. He was blessed to have had two fathers, one who gave him life and another to have taught him life. Doc served 24 years in the United States Air Force and was promoted to the rank of Senior Master Sargeant and is a decorated veteran and life member of VFW Post 4183, Scott AFB. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret (Margo) Matheny (White) on 17 May 2007. Doc served as a Federal Police Officer (patrol) with Rome Labs in NY and as Public Safety Shift Supervisor at McKendree University in Lebanon, IL , and later did volunteer work with Heartland Hospice, Fairview Heights, IL after his retirement from the United States Air Force. Surviving is a son, Craig Matheny of Canyon Lake, TX, a daughter Heather (Matheny) Bright of Houston, TX, stepdaughter Jackie Swanson of Ballwin, MO, and a stepson Greg Hafford of Luzerne, PA. One brother Joseph Suscavage of Sorrento, FL who preceded him in death and one living sister Victoria James (Suscavage) of Ontonago, MI and one sister Ann Marie Suscavage who preceded him in death. (1) niece, (2) nephews and (4) grandsons (Justin Matheny), (Zachary Bright), (Julian Swanson), and (Landon Swanson) and (1) great grandson (Elijah Daniel Bright) and (1) great granddaughter (Emily Bright). Though Doc wasn’t affiliated with a church he believed in his Heavenly Father, read from the bible daily and tried to practice the golden rule “Treat others as you would want them to treat you”.

Admiral “Bull” Halsey once said “There are no extraordinary men…just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with”.

Words written by an unknown author:

A Warrior’s Rest

Soon all too soon to Faithful Warriors

Come their Rest

Peace from far-away Battles

Home – Home they come at Last

Peace they found in their Search

Rest in peace, Old Golden Knight

Your time is Past

Duty – Honor – Country

Rest in Someone’s Memories

Forever, is but what We Ask.

Doc wishes to be cremated and the reading of the 23rd Psalm to be read where his ashes are to be spread, where he and his wife Margo, can watch the eagles soar through eternity together. Celebration of “Doc’s” life to be held at Lakeview Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, IL Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM. Contributions to be made to Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Special Olympics. Always remember we are one but we are many. God Bless America.