John W. Mathews, 65, of Lance died Sunday, Oct. 27, 2012 at his home.
He was the son of the late Bert T. and Doris F. (Ridgway) Mathews and born Oct. 31, 1946 in Philipsburg.
Mr. Mathews was of the Christian faith.
He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of the West Branch Sportsman Association of Kylertown.
He was retired from Verizon as a splicer and graduated from the Philipsburg-Osceola High School in the class of 1965. His hobbies were hunting, fishing and metal art work.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James Mathews and Bert C. Mathews.
Mr. Mathews is survived by two daughters, Faith S. Hamer and her husband, Ardell of Winterville, NC and Casey Mathews of Lance; three sons, Christopher Force and Scott Force, both of Grassflat and Todd R. Mathews of Morrisdale.
Also surviving are two sisters, Joann Bryan of Osceola Mills and Carol Patkalitsky and her husband, Joseph of McVeytown; two brothers, Donald Mathews and his wife, Cornett of Belleville and Thomas Mathews and his wife, Jean of McVeytown; and three grandchildren, Justine McClarren, Hunter Force and Cameron Force.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Heath Funeral Home in Osceola Mills, with Pastor Donald Smith officiating. Burial will be at the Centre Cemetery, Osceola Mills.
The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the funeral home.
Military honors will be accorded at the funeral home.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.heathfuneral.com.