Donald K. Matthews

Donald K. Matthews, 82, passed away peacefully and comfortably under Hospice care at home, at 3:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2014.  Donald was born on October 9, 1931 in Buchanan, MI to Harlan and Ruth Matthews (Ewald). Donald was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Veldoris, his brother Charles, his sister Marjorie and his son, Richard.   Don was a 1949 graduate of Buchanan High School and was employed by Indiana & Michigan Electric Company (now AEP) for 41 years. He retired in 1991 as the Buchanan Area Manager.   He was a member of the Lakeshore Rotary Club and the Lions Club for a number of years. He was an avid golfer and belonged to Orchard Hills Country Club in Buchanan and enjoyed many rounds of golf with family and friends. He enjoyed Michigan football and The Detroit Tigers. He spent countless hours playing cards with his children and beating most of them at any game he played. Don will be remembered for having a great sense of humor and a heart for spending time with his children and grand-children.   On October 8, 1955, Don married Beverly Morelli in Buchanan. Together with their nine children they lived in Buchanan until 1966 and moved to Stevensville, MI living there until 1981. They moved back to Buchanan and spent their retirement years there and in Leesburg, Florida.   Don is survived by his adoring wife of 58 years, Beverly Matthews (Morelli) who took such tender and loving care of her husband. He is also survived by his eight children: Marjorie (James) Pudell- Sodus, MI, Randall Matthews- South Bend, IN, Susan (Christopher Stirling) Matthews, Holland, MI, Jeanne (Peter) Uhl, Grand Rapids, MI, Patricia (Thomas) Eversole St. Joseph, MI, Elizabeth (Thomas) Ziembovic Saline, MI, James Matthews, Santa Fe, Mexico, Thomas (Nicole) Matthews, Buchanan, MI and a brother, James (Charlotte) Matthews, Elkhart, IN. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.   A visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 18, to be followed by a funeral service at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Buchanan, MI at 11:00. Burial will be at Oak   Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home 1234 Napier Ave. , St. Joseph, MI49085.  To sign his guest book or leave a condolence message, please visit our website www.swemchapel.com.