Melvin E. Matthews

Melvin E. Matthews, age 93, of Holland, Ohio, died October 12, 2014 at Astor House. He was born April 1, 1921 to Archie H. and Erma Ruth (Lowell) Matthews in Platner, Colorado. He married Barbara J. (Simmons) Matthews on August 14, 1951. Mel was a TSgt. Army (Infantry) WWII veteran, having served over 6 ½ years in the military service of which one year was in British and Dutch New Guinea and one year on Luzon, Philippine Islands from invasion day until the war in the Pacific ended. He worked for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co. in Maumee for 5 years and there he met wife, Barbara. He was the former owner and operator of Simmons Nursery and Landscape, Inc., Toledo and continued working for his son in the business he loved many years following his formal retirement. Stopping work was never his goal. Mel was patriotic and loved his association with Post #335, American Legion, where he served 10 years as Chaplain, was a lifetime member of VFW Post #11115, Maumee, and member of the Lucas County Veterans Burial Corps. He kept his American Flag flying daily. The Matthews family wishes to thank Hospice of Northwest Ohio and the staff and “family” of Astor House at Spring Meadows for their outstanding care and support. Mel is survived by his wife, Barbara; children Deborah, David (Denise) and Jeffery (Susie); grandchildren Nathan (Holly), Sara (Joseph), Zoe and Hal; great grandchildren Tyler and Jillian; sister Dorothy Bateman. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Andrea Leigh and seven siblings. Visitation at Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant Street, Maumee, Ohio will be from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 with American Legion Post 335 memorial service at 7:00 pm. Funeral service will be held at Providence Lutheran Church at 11:30 AM with additional visitation from 10:30 AM until 11:30 AM at the church on Thursday, October 16; the Reverend Dennis King presiding. Internment at Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Providence Lutheran Church, 8131 Airport Highway, Holland, OH 43528. Online condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com.