Earl Joseph Mathias

Earl J. "Buzz" Mathias, age 77 of Coal Valley, died Friday, July 11, 2003 at Trinity Medical Center in Rock Island. Funeral Services for Mr. Mathias will be private. Memorials may be given to the Wisconsin Parkinson's Association 945 North 12th Street Milwaukee, WI 53233. Earl Joseph Mathias was born July 18, 1925 in Avery, Iowa the son of Joseph and Alberta (Stocker) Mathias. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on a LSM in the Pacific Theater. Married the former Mary Lucille McCarty on March 12, 1948 in Lewistown, Illinois. Earl was employed as an Auto body Repairman for many years at Warren Chevrolet in East Moline, retiring in 1988. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, was a Lifetime High-Power Rifle Master, enjoyed fishing, hunting, archery, and inventing, and was an avid nature photographer. He was an extraordinary father and grandfather, who was always there for anyone that needed his help. And was known as a "heck of a good pool shark". Earls family members include his wife, Mary of Coal Valley, four daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret Mathias of Pleasanton, California, Cathy and Bill Wiebel of East Moline, Jackie Exner of Sherrard, and Laura and Ed Reedy of Orion, a son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Kathy Mathias of Coal Valley, seven grandchildren, Joe Andrews, Nick Exner, Jenny DeBlaey, Albrey Reedy, Jared Reedy, Chris Mathias, and Brian Mathias, two great-grandsons, Damion DeBlaey, and Eli Exner, two sisters, Verna and Fritz Fletcher of West Virginia, and Cora and Don Parke of Arizona, and a brother, Bill Mathias of Abingdon, IL. A brother Jack Mathias preceded him in death.