Raymond F. Mathewson

Raymond F. Mathewson, 74, Axtell, Kansas, died Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the Pawnee City Hospital in Pawnee City, Nebraska.

A rosary was prayed Friday evening, July 29, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Axtell.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 30, at St. Michael's Church. The Rev. Albert Hauser celebrated the Mass and St. Michael's choir sang.

Casket bearers were Matt Sears, Brian Sears, Dan Mathewson, Ryan Mathewson, Amy Mathewson, Sarah Mathewson and Christopher Rottinghaus.

Burial was in the St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery. Military honors were by the R. R. Hendricks American Legion Post 214, Axtell.

Memorials may be made to the Axtell EMTs and sent in care of the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home in Axtell.

Raymond F. Mathewson was born Nov. 15, 1930, at Baileyville, the son of Albert Mathewson and Hilda Osterhaus. He attended Baileyville School. In 1951 he entered the Army and served in Korea till 1952.

On Feb. 13, 1956, he married Phyllis Glynn at the St. Bridget Catholic Church north of Axtell. They farmed and raised their family north of Axtell.

He was a member of St. Michael's Church, the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion post, all of Axtell.

He was on the Turkey Creek Watershed board. He served on the St. Michael's school board and the St. Bridget Township board and was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Seneca.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Irene Schmitz.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis of the home in Axtell; four sons, Robert (Lisa) Mathewson, Axtell, Donald Mathewson and Michael (Lisa) Mathewson, Summerfield, and James (Jenny) Mathewson, Axtell; two daughters, Elaine (Ted) Sears, Salina, and Jane (Tim) Rottinghaus, Baileyville; a brother, Marvin Mathewson, Baileyville; two sisters, Dorothy Schmitz, Centralia, and Ileta Klecan, Hanover; and 15 grandchildren.