Orrie Gray Mathews, 81, of 844 Walnut Drive, Ellwood City, died at 12:55 a.m. Monday at the Ellwood City Hospital after a long illness.

Born in Ellwood City, Nov. 26, 1924, he was the son of Samuel L. and Goldie Shaffer Mathews.

He was a1943 graduate of Lincoln High School in Ellwood City and an alumnus of California State Teachers College. He taught and served as athletic director at the New Castle Senior High School for many years.

Mr. Mathews was a member and former trustee of the First Baptist Church of Ellwood City. He also was a member of F&AM Ellwood Lodge 599, the Valley of New Castle Consistory and the Ellwood City VFW.

He was a Navy veteran and served aboard landing craft during the South Pacific island-hopping campaigns of World War II from 1943 to 1946.

He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He also enjoying fishing and especially WPIAL playoff games in all sports.

Surviving are a sister, Polly L. Mathews of Ellwood City, with whom he made his home; a sister-in-law, Ida Marie Mathews of Slippery Rock; and two nephews.

A brother preceded him in death.

<B>MATHEWS </B>— Friends of Orrie Gray Mathews, who died Monday, March 27, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, at the <B>TURNER FUNERAL HOME</B>, Sixth Street at Park Avenue, Ellwood City. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Dr. Wesley Evans, retired former pastor of First Baptist Church, Ellwood City, officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Burial Estates, Mount Chestnut.Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Corporate One Office Park, Suite 22S, 4075 Monroeville Blvd., Monroeville PA 15146.