Matt Matthews

Matt Matthews, 73, of Van Buren, died Tuesday, June 11, 2013 in a local hospital. He was born May 30, 1940 in Porterville, CA to the late Norvell and Juanita Matthews. He was a retired heavy equipment operator. Matt spent 13 years serving his country in the Navy. During all of his years of travel, he touched many lives and is remembered for his compassion and humor. He met and married Donna after they both lost spouses, and spent the last seven plus years in a relationship of love, fun, companionship, and travel. He will be missed by so many – he never met a stranger. Matt joins his beloved mother and father in heaven along with other relatives and many friends whose lives he touched.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Matthews of the home; three daughters, Kris Bohannon and husband James of Forrest City, AR, Michelle Coats and husband Wesley of Boise City, OK, and Lara Webster of Van Buren; two sons, Mitchell Spilman and wife Dianna of Van Buren, and Niklas Webster and wife Krystal stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Italy; three sisters, Verna Elliott and husband Doug of Tulare, CA, Loy Ciuffo of Tulare; and Sammy Miller and husband Joseph of CA; two brothers, Stanley Matthews and wife Ruth of CA, and Richard Matthews and wife Mary of CA; and a passel of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who knew him as their “PaPa”.

Mr. Matthews will be cremated under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren.