Mr. James R. Mathews

James R. “Jimmy” Mathews, age 68, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2013 at the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN. He was born in Hopkins County, KY on August 4, 1944 to the late Noble and Willie Mae Brown Mathews. He was a 1962 graduate of Charleston High School. Mr. Mathews worked for 25 years of his working life as a coal miner and retired with Island Creek Coal Company’s Providence #1 Mine where he was a mining electrician. He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America. Mr. Mathews also exercised a benevolent helping spirit for his fellow man by serving on the Dawson Springs and Charleston Volunteer Fire Departments for forty years. Additionally, he received an EMT Certification and served on the Dawson Springs Emergency Squad for many years beginning in 1978. For a few years Mr. Mathews worked as an EMT with the Ambulance Service in Hopkinsville, KY. And, in 1994 he became a Deputy Coroner for Hopkins County, a capacity in which he served for the remainder of his life.



Mr. Mathews had a passion for life, and he greatly loved his family. He also was a member of the Al E. Orten Masonic Lodge for which he served as the Secretary/Treasurer for many years. He was of the Christian Faith.



He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years~ Mona Jane Mathews of Dawson Springs, KY; two daughters and sons~in~law~ Laura & Jimmy Miller and Martha & Bobby Woolsey all of Dawson Springs, KY; a half brother~ Wayne Mathews of Panama City Beach, FL; three step sisters~ Jeri Cotton of Dawson Springs, KY, Ann Cain of Nebo, KY, and Ginny Bolen of Louisville, KY; five grandchildren~ Megan Miller, Trevor Woolsey, Erin Woolsey, Mathew Miller and Mason Miller all of Dawson Springs, KY.



A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at Beshear Funeral Home in Dawson Springs, KY on Sunday, March 3, 2013, at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held for James R. Mathews on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at Beshear Funeral Home with the Elder Jeff Winfrey presiding. Friends may call at his visitation on Sunday, March 3, 2013 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and on Monday, March 4, 2013 from 9 A.M. until the funeral hour at 2:00 at the Beshear Funeral Home.



Active Pallbearers will be Keith Steeley, Daniel Kovach, Harvey Martin, Trevor Woolsey, Ralph Alhart, and Joe Workman. Honorary Pallbearers include J.D. Steeley and Phillip Terry.



Online condolences may be made at beshearfuneralhome.com.