Joseph G. Mathews

Joseph G. Mathews of Wright City, MO, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2019, at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laura Jean and Oliver Mathews, Sr.; his grandchildren, Mariah Mathews and John Hannagan; three brothers, Oliver Mathews, Jr., Gene (Jackie) Mathews, and Garitt (Marty) Mathews; and two sisters, Mary (Roy) Tuttle and Lee (Walt) Hickman.

Joseph left this life too early, but his memory will be carried on by his loving wife of 63 years, Gwenn Mathews (nee Pickering); his children, Dr. Greg (Galen) Mathews, Dr. Jeff (Shari) Mathews, and Jill (Sean) Hannagan; his grandchildren, Joe (Lesley) Mathews, Max Mathews, Maggie Mathews, Megan Mathews, Jesse Mathews, Danny Mathews, Patrick Hannagan, Ryan Hannagan, Erin Hannagan, and Collin Hannagan; and his siblings, Jerry (the late Shirley) Mathews, Gary (Jimmie) Mathews, Sue (John) Lauhoff, Bob (Jean) Mathews, and Laurel (the late Jim) Dale.

Joe proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of many organizations throughout his life, and he was tremendously influential in the St. Charles region and beyond. He was currently serving on the Board of Directors for SSM Hospital. He retired from the following as a member of the Board of Directors: Lindenwood University (26 yrs), Lake Ozark Regional Hospital (and an original founder), Boys Town, Sanford Brown, Mark Twain Bank, and U.S. Bancorp. As a longtime member of the Lindenwood Board, he created and has funded the Mariah Mathews scholarship since 1995, in memory of his granddaughter who passed at birth. He received the Sibley Medallion of Honor from Lindenwood University in 2015, and had the distinction of the Mathews Hall being named in his honor.

Joseph earned his bachelor’s from Mizzou and his MS in Financial Services at American College. He was a CLU and ChFC, and he owned Mathews and Associates in Chesterfield, Missouri. He had a “special sauce” and incredible talent of connecting the right people together through his wide network of business associates and friends. Gloria Panhorst, worked alongside Joe, and was a wonderful asset to him for more than 36 years.

Joe grew up in a family of 11 siblings, and as a true outdoorsman, he earned the ranking of Eagle Scout. He found his true passion running Sunny Ranch with Gwenn and their children. Sunny Ranch is a six-hundred-acre family owned haven for all the horses, dogs, and other animals that he and Gwenn have rescued. Joe loved to show his horses at equestrian competitions and was a member of both the American Quarter Horse Association and the Missouri Alliance for Animals. The ranch was a great place for he and his grandkids to spend time together, and he cherished all the memories he made with them.

Joe’s loveable and charismatic personality drew countless friends to his side, and his total ease in life and with people, ensured that he never met a stranger. His faith was always a rock-solid foundation for him to stand on and rely upon. He was a faithful member of Morning Star Church, where he enjoyed donating his time and talents to help the church and others through teaching Sunday School or serving as a Stephen’s Minister. He also previously belonged to the Board of Elders at the Presbyterian Church.

As a sports fan, the St. Louis Cardinals had Joe’s lifelong support as a season ticket holder for nearly forty years, and he enjoyed taking family and friends to the games. Mizzou football had his support as well, as it was his alma mater and where he met Gwenn, the absolute love of his life.

Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s name to the Humane Society of Missouri or to Long Meadow Rescue Ranch.