Thomas Wayne Mathes, 72, beloved husband, father and Papaw, passed away September 20, 2019 in his home after a long and courageous fight with cancer. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Calvert Funeral Home-Argenta Chapel 685 N Main St. Argenta, IL with Sally Cissna officiating. Burial will be in Friends Creek Cemetery with full military honors.

 

A Gloucester, VA resident for 35 years, Tom was born October 14, 1946 in Monticello, Illinois and grew up in Argenta, Illinois. He was the son of Harley Wayne and Clara (Cissna) Mathes. He married his high school sweetheart Sharon King on November 19,1966 and together they raised their 3 children in Mt. Zion until moving their family to Virginia in 1984. They shared an amazing 53 years together. Tom proudly served his country in the United States Airforce during Vietnam as a bomber mechanic. He was stationed in California, Guam and Japan. Using the trade skills, he learned in the United States Air Force he worked his way through the mechanical field before landing in commercial refrigeration.

 

Tom loved spending time with his family. Often just sitting and laughing around a campfire together. His love of the outdoors, kept him fishing, camping and enjoying the simple things in life. He spent his off time tending his oriental gardens and breeding Japanese Koi, an interest he developed while stationed in Japan. He also enjoyed breeding different varieties of ducks and chickens. He was a lover of animals. Only second to the love of his family. His favorite hobby of all of was aggravating his grandkids which they thoroughly enjoyed and aggravated him back. He was a former of member of the Mt Zion Christian Church in Mt. Zion Il and attended Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church in Hayes, Va.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Clara and also his sister Janet.

 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Sharon, daughter Tina (Mathes) Kempa and her husband Bryan, son Jason Mathes and his wife Heather and son Patrick Mathes.  5 grandchildren, Whitney, Ashley, Summer, Andrew, and Logan and 2 great grandchildren Kinley and namesake Charles Thomas. He will be missed by his mother in law Mildred King and many special sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews, extended family as well as his best friend from childhood, John Kruse.

 

Memorial contributions can be made to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Toms memory.