Walter D. Matthews

Walter David Matthews, 83 passed away Sept. 21 at Hanover House after a long illness. He was born Sept. 16, 1927 in Wadsworth, Ohio to Jesse F. and Marian Sailer Matthews. He was a 1945 graduate of Washington High School. Following high school he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier Tarawa. He was an industrial engineer at Republic Steel in Massillon for 14 years before joining Demmer Hardware from which he retired in 1986. Music was a constant thread throughout his life. He directed the choir at the former Massillon City Hospital School of Nursing, was a 50 year member of St. Mary’s choir, sang in and directed the music for the Lions Club annual show for many years and played the organ at Hanover House after he became a resident there. He also enjoyed woodworking and RVing. He was instrumental in the Lions effort to purchase the Lincoln Theater and spent countless hours working on the renovation. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus #554, American Legion and the Buckeye Cruisers RV club. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Kuntz Matthews and his brother William Sailer Matthews. Survivors include his son Charles (Diane) Matthews of Rootstown, daughter, Elizabeth Anne (Michael) Juhasz of Massillon, grandchildren Dan (Erin) Matthews, Doug (Jamie) Matthews, Laura Juhasz, Mark (Abby) Juhasz and Matt Juhasz, great grandchildren Evelyn, William, Lily and Charlie Matthews, sister Marian (Sis) McQueen and ex-wife and friend Meg McFarren Matthews. Calling hours will be Thursday 6-8 p.m. at Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 1 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church with interment at St. Clement Cemetery in Navarre. Friends may call Thursday from 6-8 PM at the Paquelet Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to the Lion’s Lincoln Theatre, 156 Lincoln Way E, Massillon 44646 or to one’s favorite charity. Paquelet – Massillon A Golden Rule Funeral Home 330-833-322