Daryl A. "Butch" Matthews
Sept. 17, 1943-Nov. 7, 2009
Daryl A. "Butch" Matthews, 66, of Niles, passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.
Butch was born on September 17, 1943, in Niles, Michigan, to the late Lawrence and Bonnie (Adams) Matthews.
After graduating high school, Butch enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country proudly in the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge. After his return from the war, Butch went to work for Modineer for several years and then to National Standard as a machinist and has remained there as a faithful employee for over 36 years.
On November 22, 1969, Butch married Susan Gromski at a ceremony in Niles, Michigan. Together the couple enjoyed many hobbies including traveling and hiking in the Smokey Mountains and attending classic car shows. Butch was well-known for his 1955 Chevy he had rebuilt and won many awards and trophies. An avid outdoorsman, he spent many hours fishing and hunting and built his own muzzleloader. Butch was a member of the Edwardsburg Conservation Club for many years. He also enjoyed his quiet times reading non-fiction outdoor adventure books.
Butch was preceded in death by his parents and step-parents, Bonnie (Robert) Brady and Lawrence (Judy) Matthews; his daughter, Jennifer Matthews; a stepsister, Berneth Dokey; and a stepbrother, Alvin Matthews.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susan Matthews of Niles; two sisters, Linda (Roland) Fahlsing of Angola, Indiana, and Ruth (Jake) Nieuwland of Salt Lake City, Utah; two step-sisters, Sharon Matthews of Niles and Carmen (James) Smith of Tennessee; a stepbrother, George Matthews of Tennessee; and a half sister, Cindy (Phillip) Seitenstich of Dowagiac.
A time of visitation was held on Tuesday, November 10, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Brown Funeral Home, Niles. Funeral services will be held today, November 11, at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; or to Lakeland Hospice, 2550 Meadowbrook Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022.
Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown