Douglas E. Mathews of The Villages, Florida passed away and went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 26, 2023. He was 79 years old.
Born at the U.S. Army Hospital, Indiantown Gap, in Lebanon, PA, Doug was the son of the late Edward and Margaret (Little) Mathews. He was a Christian of the Presbyterian faith. A strong faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, along with family, were the two most important things to him in life. His work ethic, strength and integrity were the characteristics that made him the man he was and were the values he ingrained in his family. He was a 1962 graduate of Vandegritft H.S. He proudly served his country and was enlisted in the United States Army 1962-1965.
Doug married Phyllis K. (Pierce) Mathews in 1964 and moved to CA, where he was stationed. Soon after, returning to PA, he moved to Harrisville, with his wife and family. He graduated from the police academy in 1967 and was a proud member of the Pennsylvania State Police until his retirement in 1992. He, along with his wife, was co-owner of Harrisville Memorials for 18 years. He fully retired in 2004 and moved to Florida with Phyllis. He enjoyed golfing, watching old Westerns and found much comfort in his dog, Rusty.
He is survived, and will always be loved and remembered, by his two children – his daughter Deneen (Kimberly Short), Florida and his son Dean (Kathy Mathews), Virginia as well as three grandchildren – Nick (Savannah), Arkansas and Jessica and Joshua, Virginia. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his wife, Phyllis and brother, Dwight.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Harrisville, PA and Doug’s final resting place will be with Phyllis in “Prairie” Cemetery, Harrisville, PA.
