Dennis Keith Matthews, 84

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Dennis Keith Matthews, 84, of Nokomis, died on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, at 2 a.m. at the Illinois Presbyterian Home in Springfield.

Mr. Matthews was born on Jan. 13, 1935, in Fillmore, to Lonnie I. and Opal R. (Funderburk) Matthews. He married Joyce A. Volk on Dec. 1, 1957, at Springfield Fifth Presbyterian Church. The couple moved to Nokomis, where they made their home for 61 years.

Mr. Matthews worked on his family farm and for a variety of neighboring farmers in his younger years. He later took a job at Allis Chalmers in Springfield, where he met his wife. In 1970, he left outside employment to become a full time farmer and expanded to include a swine operation.

Born in the middle of the Great Depression, Mr. Matthews attended rural one room school houses. He was a child during World War II, which had a great impact on him. An active community member, Mr. Mattews was a 4-H leader, elected to the Nokomis School Board and host parent to a foreign exchange student, Nicholas Eshelby of England. He was a member of the Nokomis School Booster Club, local grain elevator board, Nokomis Lions Club, Masons, Shriners, MJM Rural Electric Board and Meals on Wheels program. Mr. Matthews was also elected to Nokomis Township as supervisor. He was known for his generosity. Family remembers him as funny, mischievous and hardworking.

Mr. Matthews is survived by, his wife; brother, Darwin (Brenda J.) Matthews; children, Daniel K. (Sydney Risser) Matthews and Dorothy K. (John) Padgett; grandchildren, Jessica (Adam) Avera, Wesley (Jenna) Matthews, Donald Padgett and Keith Padgett; great-grandchildren, Sophie Stombaugh, Karter Kirkendoll and Maddox Matthews; nieces, nephews and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to the Illinois Presbyterian Home of Springfield. Condolences may be left online at www.stiehldawsonfh.com.