Ola "Dutch' Lee Mathes

Ola “Dutch” Mathes


Ola “Dutch” Mathes, 77, passed away suddenly at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL, on Wednesday, March 6, 2013.


Ola Lee Mathes was born in Graysville, MO, on April 30, 1935, the son of George and Gertie (Pickering) Mathes, who preceded him in death. He began working in the coal mines of Putnam County at the age of 14. He married Elaine Beeler in Graysville on June 24, 1954, and they enjoyed over 58 years of married life together.


Dutch and Elaine moved to Rockford, IL, soon after they were married and Dutch worked in shipping for Knox Motor (later ANR) for 35 years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of Teamsters Local #325.


Dutch loved baseball and coached Little League baseball in Rockford. He later followed his grandson’s games in high school and college and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. Dutch and Elaine purchased the family farm in Graysville and set up a house there where they spent many, many enjoyable days. He loved to garden and had a garden in Rockford and Graysville. He loved to fish the pond at Graysville and have wonderful experiences with his family. Dutch and Elaine traveled to Hawaii with daughter Peggy and her husband Steve and also traveled to the west with Dutch’s brother Harold and his wife Norma.


Dutch is survived by his wife Elaine, of Rockford, and by daughter Peggy Bogren and her husband Steve of Glen Ellyn, IL. Also surviving are four grandchildren, David Mathes, Paul Mathes, Andrew Bogren, and Victoria Bogren. Three great grandchildren also survive and they are Deven and Logan Mathes, and Aribella Mathes. Dutch is survived by a brother, Gerald Mathes and his wife Delores of Unionville, MO, and a sister, Valee McElfish of Spokane, WA.


Those who preceded Dutch in death are two sons, David Lee Mathes and Larry Wayne Mathes; three sisters, Emogene Williams, Pauline Morgan, and Icel Wilson; and two brothers, Harold Mathes and Ovid Mathes.


Funeral services for Dutch Mathes will be at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Lone Pine Cemetery east of Unionville, MO.


Memorials are suggested to the Lone Pine Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.