Mr. Mather was born on May 1, 1928 at Clearfield, a son of the late Leland B. Mather Sr., and the late Mary Frances (McDowell) Mather.
He is survived by two daughters; Cynthia A. LaMantia and Wayne Kaufman of Lima, OH and Elizabeth A. Scott of Pittsburgh, four granddaughters; Emily M. LaMantia-Brand and her husband Matt of Sherrills Ford, NC, Elizabeth A., and Erin A. LaMantia of Lima, OH, and Katherine D. Scott of Pittsburgh, a great grandson, Vincent W. Brand and a number of cousins.
Mr. Mather was a 1946 graduate of Clearfield Area High School and had attended a number of classes and seminars connected with the newspaper profession.
He was a member of the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors Association and served as president in 1974. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors.
Mr. Mather started his career at The Progress in 1946 working first in the press room where he dispatched papers from the press.
He began his sports writing career when approached by Edwin Flegal, a member of the Clearfield Area Junior High School faculty, who was assisting at The Progress in the 1940’s as World War II was winding down.
Mr. Mather worked with Mr. Flegal, LeRoy M. Sunday, Preston Peightal and George A. Scott early in his career at The Progress.
He was proud to have voted in every election since 1946.
Mr. Mather has been a member of the Rotary Club of Clearfield for more than 60 years and served as club president from 1964 to 1965. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 1988.
He was a member of the West Side United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee for a number of years and chaired the administrative board for 25 years.
Mr. Mather was a charter member of the Clearfield County Region Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame; served 24 years as a member of the Clearfield Borough Planning Commission; and was a member of the Route 219 Association for a number of years; the Clearfield Hospital Authority; the Clearfield Community/Lock Haven University advisory committee; served on the Bucktail Boy Scouts of America Committee to plan the 50th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow Chapter; the Clearfield Frie Department; the Clearfield Community Swimming Pool Association; the Clearfield B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 540; and the Clearfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors.
He was a member of the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6, where he was past historian for many years. He served in the National Guard and U.S. Army seeing active duty with Battery A, 200th Armored Field Artillery Battalion in Clearfield and Ft. Campbell, KY., during the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Mather returned from active duty in 1952 when he joined Editor Scott and others on the news team. He succeeded Richard B. Irwin as managing editor in 1955 and was named editor upon the retirement in 1977 of Mr. Scott.
Friends will be received at the Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Inc., Clearfield on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 P.M. and on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of services.
Funeral services will be held at the West Side United Methodist Church, Clearfield on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Dr. Joleen A. Willis officiating. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the West Side United Methodist Church, 317 Nichols St., Clearfield, PA 16830 or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
To send an on line tribute go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com
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