CHARLESTON, IL – On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, Gerald Eugene Matheny, age 81 of Charleston, went to his Heavenly Home. Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021, at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. The funeral service, honoring and celebrating his life, will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday with Reverend Ray Finney and Pastor Michael Stewart assisting. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston. Memorial gifts may be made to the Harmony Center in Mattoon for those who provided care for Gerald. Gifts may be left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.
Gerald was born in Cottonwood Township in Cumberland County, Illinois on June 3, 1940. He was the son of the late Wayne and Ruby M. (Richardson) Matheny. Gerald married Sharon J. Kirkpatrick on December 22, 1958, in Newton, Illinois and she preceded him on March 8, 1998.
He is survived by his children, Randy Matheny and wife Paula of Burlington, Illinois, Jeff Matheny of Charleston, Chris Matheny and wife Cathy of Charleston and Jackie Drury of St. Louis, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Angie Testone (Chris), Brandon Matheny (Lora), Amanda Matheny, Drew Matheny, Nate Matheny, Alex Matheny, Caleb Drury, and Christin Drury; and 6 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Albert Richardson.
Gerald was a graduate of Charleston High School. He was employed as a truck driver for County Materials Corporation and has been retired since 2006. For many years he attended Salisbury Church in Hutton where he served as an usher. Gerald loved to garden and had a huge lawn that he enjoyed maintaining. A day on the lake, boating and fishing, or a good game of croquet with family and friends, was always enjoyable. He was also a CB Radio enthusiast. Gerald was blessed with many friends and maintained contact with them daily. In his ever-familiar burgundy car displaying his recognizable personalized plates, he could often be spotted traveling the streets of Charleston on his way to coffee club at Lincoln Garden Restaurant, or to other area dining establishments to join friends for lunch or dinner. Gerald will be remembered as one who was kind, soft-spoken, always a gentleman, and possessed a deep and abiding love for his family.
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