Douglas Matthews

Douglas K. Matthews, 89, of Dowagiac passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at Wings Home in Allegan. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 12pm at the First United Methodist Church, 326 N. Lowe St., Dowagiac, with Pastor Jodi Cartwright officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, January 6, 2017, from 10AM until time of service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice, 530 Linn St., Allegan, MI 49010. Those wishing to leave a condolence online may do so at www.clarkch.com. Doug was born on September 25, 1928, to Cecil & Ruth (Glover) Matthews in Imlay City, MI. He graduated from North Branch High School. On August 3, 1948, Doug married Ernestine Richmond in Angola, IN.  Doug worked as an operations manager at Richmond Lumber, which later became Matthews Lumber when he became owner and operator of the company. Doug was a man of many trades. He enjoyed working on and riding his trucks, car, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and airplanes. He loved singing in the Barbershop Quartet, roller skating, taking pictures and working on the computer. Doug was a Mason and a member of the Dowagiac Elks Club Lodge #889 and Dowagiac Moose Lodge Post #933. He also was the past president of the Lions Club, Pagoda Club and Airport Board. Doug is survived by his wife, Ernestine Matthews of Dowagiac; children, Linda (Barry) Gardner of Dowagiac, Terry (Sally) Matthews of Dowagiac, Mikel (Shelley) Matthews of San Antonio, TX and Greg (Sue) Matthews of Dowagiac; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother-in-law Tom Mikulski of Lapier, MI; sisters-in-law, Kay Matthews and Delores Matthews; and numerous nieces and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by his parents; children, Ronald Matthews and Kevin Matthews; siblings, Bruce Matthews, Phillip Matthews, Sharon Bennett and Sandra Mikulski; and brother-in-law Earl Bennett.