BRUCE MATHEWS
Bruce Mathews, 90, of Pencil Bluff, AR, died peacefully at his home Tuesday, October 17, 2017, with his family by his side. He was born July 26, 1927 to Carson and Etta Hayes Mathews in Felsenthal, AR.
He joined the Merchant Marines as a Stewards Mate in 1943 and graduated from the U.S. Maritime Service Training in St. Petersburg, FL in 1945 and served as a Merchant Mariner for an additional eight and a half years. Bruce served from 1953 to 1955 in the United States Army stationed in Whittier, AK. On July 4, 1953, he married Ruth Bidwell in New York City, NY. He lived in Alaska for 44 years in Sitka, Bethel, Glennallen, Anchorage and King Salmon. He worked in the communications industry. In 1997 he retired and moved back to his home state of Arkansas to be closer to his brother and sisters and to get out of the cold in Alaska.
Preceding him in death are his parents; wife, Ruth Bidwell Mathews; daughter, Connie Beckman; grandson, Joshua Beach; brothers, M.C., Pete, Fletcher, Dillard, Cordell, and Jerry Mathews; and sister, Virginia Perryman.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Ronald Mathews (Kathryn); daughters, Janet Julsen (Kurt), Debbie Mathews, Joyce Gilmore, Geri Beach (Michael Eells); grandchildren, Cory and Joseph Call, Brian and Mariah Julsen, Heidi and Zachary Mathews, Jynal Radziukinas, Joshua and Brent Kimzey, Ashley Allison, Paolo, Antonio and Corrado Gilmore; and numerous great grandchildren.
A Rosary service will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, October 23, 2017, at Young’s Funeral Directors.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm. Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at Young’s Chapel with Ron Mathews officiating. Burial will follow at Lapile Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ricky Nalls, Dennis Mason, Jim Mason, Mark Mathews, Allen Bomar, and Dwayne Mathews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local hospice.
An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.