Mathers

Winfred "Mat" Clarence Mathers, 88, of Butler passed away Saturday at Good Samaritan Hospice in Cabot.

He was born Nov. 22, 1920, in Bernard, Mo., son of the late Clarence Mathers and the late Ruth Hummon Mathers.

Mat was a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served from 1941 through 1970, during three wars before retiring as a lieutenant. During his years of service in 1961-62, he served as executive officer in Operation Deep Freeze in the Antarctic, where he supervised the building and reassembling of the first nuclear power plant which was used that year.

He and his wife, Alice, moved to Butler in 2005 from Iowa.

He enjoyed fishing, reading and building things in his workshop.

He was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Meridian.

Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Alice Mathers of Butler; two sons, Rob E. and Kathy Mathers of Butler and William and Terry Francis of Iowa; six grandchildren, Katrina (Joel) Fleharty of Iowa, Tim (Lisa) Francis of Wisconsin, Todd Francis of Kansas, Travis (Stacy) Mathers of Chicora, Cory Mathers of Butler and Kara (Anthony) Reeves of Nevada; seven great-grandchildren, Preston Riley Fleharty, Tyler, Abbie, Hunter, Francis and Mackenzie Mathers and Melody Reeves; a sister-in-law, Bonnie Mathers of Missouri; and a nephew, Brad Mathers of Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Doyle Mathers.

<B>MATHERS</B> — Friends of Winfred "Mat" Clarence Mathers, who died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at <B>Young Funeral Home Ltd.</B>, 127 W. Jefferson St. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 365 Saw Mill Run Road, Meridian. Interment will be in the West Sunbury Union Cemetery.Military honors will be provided by VFW Post 249 and American Legion Post 778.To sign the online guest book, go to www.youngfuneralhomes.com.