Edward C. Matthews Jr.

Edward Calvin Matthews, Jr., age 92, passed away July 11, 2012 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He had been a resident of Sikeston his entire life. He was born January 6, 1920 in Sikeston, the son of Edward C. Matthews, Sr. and Cornelia Mare Bergmann Matthews. He graduated from Sikeston High School, Class of 1938, and attended Westminster College in Fulton, MO. On June 8, 1946, at Fulton, he was united in marriage to Peggy Marie Frank of Fulton, who survives of the home.

To this union three children were born, who survive: Peggy Lee Matthews, Edward C. Matthews III and wife Sarah, of Sikeston, and Phillip F. Matthews and wife Debbie of Decatur, GA. Other survivors include four grandchildren, Edward C. Matthews, IV and wife Sarah Ann of St. Louis, MO, Jonathan Lee Matthews of New York, NY, Lauren Mosley Snider and husband Christopher of Cape Girardeau, and Grant M. Matthews of Naples, FL; and three great grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Snider and Maria Bella Matthews.

One sister, Olga M. Hux, preceded him in death.

Matthews volunteered for duty in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served as a flight engineer and turret gunner aboard a patrol bomber in the South Pacific, with bomb SQDN No. 17, from 1942-1946. He received military awards for American Defense, Asiatic-Pacific representing four major battles, Philippine Liberation, Good Conduct medal and victory medals, as well as State of Missouri Award for patriotic service, WWII.

A member of First United Methodist Church of Sikeston, Matthews has served as Sunday school teacher, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and a member of the Board of Stewards. He was scoutmaster for five years and served as District Chairman of the Boy Scouts.

Matthews was employed by the Bank of Sikeston on January 1, 1953. He became the bank’s 6th president in September 1974. He was the grandson of the late Charles D. Matthews, Sr., founder of the bank. He retired in 1986, as CEO and President.

He served as president of the Lions Club and Chairman of the Lions Club sight conservation fundraising committee. He served as zone chairman of District 26D Lions and Deputy District Governor of Lions International.

Matthews has been treasurer and director of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce and director of the Sikeston Industrial Development Corporation. Other activities included serving as a member of the University of Missouri Advisory Committee on vocational education, member of the advisory council on Archaeology to the Missouri State Park Board, chairman of the Community Chest, member of the citizen’s advisory committee on Schools and Occupational Education, Scott County Farm Bureau and president of the Scott County Extension Council. Matthews served as a commissioner of the Sikeston Special Road District for 20 years, from 1968-1985. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Sikeston and Amerifirst Bank, SEMO Grain Co., Bucoda Gin Co., Scott County Milling Co. and Matthews Cotton Company.

Visitation is scheduled from 10:00am until 12:00 noon on Saturday, July 14, at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00pm Saturday in the Nunnelee Chapel, with Rev. Geoff Posegate, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, officiating.

Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be Jim Hux, Scott Matthews, Chris Matthews, Charlie Moore, Jeff Hux and Christopher Snider. Honorary pallbearers will be John Hux, Ralph Boyer, Drew Juden, Steve Sikes, Joe Silverthorn and Swayne Byrd.

Memorial contributions may be sent to:

Sikeston Depot

Historical & Cultural Center

P.O. Box 182

Sikeston, MO 63801

OR

YMCA of Southeast Missouri

Memorial Fund Program

511 Taylor St.

Sikeston, MO 63801