Mathews

Ida Marie Gabler Mathews, 92, formerly of Slippery Rock, passed away at Grove Manor nursing home in Grove City on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, following a brief illness. She was born in Ellwood City on May 9, 1931, the daughter to John Thomas Gabler and Helen Marie Goehring Gabler.

Ida married William I. “Bill” Mathews on Aug. 12, 1950, and he preceded her in death in 2000 after 49 years of marriage. She helped Bill with his barbershop business in Slippery Rock, taking care of the facility and regularly sweeping the sidewalk outside the shop in downtown Slippery Rock.

Ida worked as food service supervisor for the Slippery Rock School District and worked in the high school cafeteria. She served the district for over 26 years cooking and baking homemade dinners. She helped with the Slippery Rock Football spaghetti dinners and other fundraisers. She was a member of Center Presbyterian Church for 66 years and taught Sunday School at the church for over 40 years. She was actively involved with the borough and county election bureau. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Slippery Rock American Legion and a member of Slippery Rock Heritage Association.

She helped organize the Slippery Rock Sportsmen’s annual game dinner. She loved her Dobermans, even though they outweighed her. In later years, she enjoyed watching birds and other elements of wildlife off her lanai and on the beach in Sanibel Island.

Survivors include her son, Jay W. (Barbara) Mathews of Slippery Rock; and a sister, Shirley Maxwell of Ellwood City.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ida is preceded in death by her son, Thomas L. Mathews, who died Feb. 25, 2012; and three sisters, Nancy Noto, Ruth Gardner and Betty Kirkwood.

MATHEWS — The family of Ida Marie Gabler Mathews, who died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, will have a private celebration of her life at a later time.

Interment will be in Greenlawn Burial Estates in Mt. Chestnut.

Arrangements are by SMITH FUNERAL HOME, Slippery Rock.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.