Cecil Mathias

CECIL MATHIAS

Tipton

Cecil Paul Mathias, 98, of Tipton, died Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, at Cedar Manor. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Red Oak Grove Church, Tipton, with the Rev. Norman Anderson officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton. Burial will be in Red Oak Grove Cemetery. Casket bearers are Matthew Mathias, Andrew Mathias, John Mathias, Mike Knight, Mike Frazer, John Jore, Joe Reilly, Jacob Bohlmann and Dustin Mason. Honorary casket bearers are Philip Mathias, Steve Marxen, Bob Rickard and Bob Wethington.

Instead of flowers, the family asks memorials be made to support the Cedar Manor Expansion Project.

Cecil was born May 13, 1918, in rural Cedar County, the son of Opha and Vera (Kinnan) Mathias. He attended school in Springdale, completing the 11th grade. On Oct. 5, 1939, Cecil was united in marriage to Norma Lucille Woode in Davenport. Cecil farmed at various locations in Cedar County before settling in Red Oak Township, where he raised crops and livestock and was a seed corn dealer.

He "retired" from farming in 1974 when he and

Norma moved to Tipton. There, he served as an insurance adjuster for White Pidgeon Mutual Insurance and served as a bank director for Tipton State Bank.

He was a member of the Rotary Club, Moose Lodge, and Odd Fellows. He was primarily involved in the care of Red Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder until the church closed. He served on the cemetery board for over 50 years. Later he attended the South Bethel and Rochester Methodist churches with

his dear friend, Freda Chambliss.

He enjoyed fishing, camping, car shows and helping on his son's farm. Mostly, he loved spending time and talking with his family, friends, neighbors and complete strangers.

Cecil is survived by his sons, Ronald (Carol) and Larry (Sherri); daughters-in-law, Nancy and Marilyn; grandchildren, Michelle (Mike) Knight, Melissa (Mike) Frazer, Melanie (John) Jore, Matthew (Kasia) Mathias, Andrew (Amy) Mathias, John (Joe Reilly) Mathias, Teresa (Jacob) Bohlmann and Megan (Dustin) Mason; great-grandchildren, Ty, Sydney, Mackenzie, Madeline, Katherine, Adrian, Kallista, Amelia, Cody, Clayton, Caleb, Callie, Jay and Lanie; his sister, Lorna Paulsen; brother-in-law, Larry Hull; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; son, Randy; dear friend, Freda Chambliss; his parents; his brothers, Merle, Wayne and Harry; and his sister, Mary Hull.