Mr. Neal Gary Mathews, age 87, of Shelbyville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his four children, Monday, May 29, 2023.
The family will receive visitors 12- 2 p.m., with funeral to follow at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 3, 2023, at First United Methodist Church, in Shelbyville. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in Wheel Cemetery. Pastor Larry Allbritton (his nephew), and Pastor Abe Zimmerman will officiate.
Neal was born September 16, 1935, in Fort Smith, Ark., to the late Eugene and Nellie Mathews. He was the retired owner of Brave Construction Company. A former Army Paratrooper, he made over 200 jumps in his Army Career. He was also a former pilot and a Professional Bull and Bronc Rider.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Linda Chunn Mathews; a daughter, Ginger Johnson; two brothers in law, Gale Allbritton and Harlin Chunn.
Survivors include three daughters, Tammy Brown, Paige (Steve) Adams, and Suzy Mathews; a son, Michael Mathews; two brothers, Rex (Shirley) Mathews, and Glen (Bev) Mathews; three sisters, Mary Allbritton, Janice (Eddie) Waters, and Linda (Joe) Dix; sister in law, Barbara (Tony) Plamowski; seven grandchildren, Melissa Smith, Crystal Elliott, Brooke Taylor Harrell, Blake Taylor, Mason Gassaway, Ashlee Kessen, and Alexis Brown; and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
