Obituary of Marion L. "Joe" Mathews

Marion L. ("Joe") Mathews, age 104, of Fairmont, West Virginia, died April 11, 2024. He was born on June 9, 1919, in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, to the late Marion Wheeler Mathews and Georgia Cochran Mathews. Marion spent his early years in Williamsburg, West Virginia, before relocating to Fairmont. He was a machinist by trade, having worked at Consolidation Coal Company and then at Westinghouse Electric Corporation, from which company he retired. He was also a skilled woodworker and gunsmith. For several years he had Mathews Gun Shop in Monongah. After he closed the business, he continued to maintain his woodworking shop in his home until he was 100 years old. He produced many beautiful pieces of furniture and gunstocks. He was quite gifted at reproducing any "part" someone might need to repair an item. Marion served in the United States Army during World War II, and was stationed in Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, having been a member of First United Methodist Church in Monongah until is dissolution. He was also a 61 year member of Masonic Lodge No. 9 in Fairmont. He was the youngest of six children, and was predeceased by his siblings, Pauline Anderson, Floyd Mathews, Hazel Hanna, Bill Mathews, and Betty Smith. Surviving from the Mathews family are several nieces and nephews. Marion married Margaret Minear on February 16, 1946. He was predeceased by Margaret on January 9, 2000. He is survived by his daughter, Karen Yokum, and her husband, Thomas, of Monongah, and his son, John Minear, and his wife, Judy, of Belington. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jonilyn Edgington and Mike Minear. In addition, he is survived by great-grandchildren, Bradley Yokum, and his mother Paula Yokum, David Edington, Brian Edgington, and Ryan Minear, and several great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and siblings, Marion was predeceased in death by his grandchildren, Thomas Scott Yokum and Krista Zink. He was also predeceased by his wife's four sisters. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society in his memory and the memory of his wife, Margaret, and grandson, Scott. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV 26554. At the request of the decedent, there will be no funeral home visitation or funeral. Graveside services will be held in the West Virginia National Cemetery, Pruntytown, WV with Rev. James Norton officiating on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 1p.m. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.