Robert 'Bob' Earl Matthews

Robert "Bob" Earl Matthews, 92, passed away on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016 at Asbury Towers Retirement Community in Greencastle.

Robert was born to Richard Earl Matthews and Ella (Masten) Matthews Rogers in Greencastle at 1022 S. College Ave., on March 6, 1924.

Bob graduated from Greencastle High School and attended Indiana Central Business College.

He was employed for two years at Allison's of General Motors and served the community for more than 40 years in the retail business with Prevo's, later becoming president and owner, retiring in 1984.

Robert was past president of the Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, serving as a board member for seven years and a member of the Greencastle Development Corp.

He attended the First Christian Church, having served as a deacon and a member of the Worship Commission and worked with the Cub Scout Troop 99 sponsored by the church as cubmaster.

He was a 50+ year member of the Greencastle Masonic Temple Lodge 47 and a 50+ year member of the Greencastle Elks Lodge 1077, a past member of Windy Hill Country Club and the Cataract Yacht Club, a life member of the Ambassadair Flying Club, a past member of the Putnam County Council on Aging, treasurer of the Heritage Preservation Society of Putnam County, a board member of the Greencastle High School Alumni Association, as well as a supporter of the American Quilters Society, Quilters Hall of Fame, National Quilters Association and the Museum of American Quilters, Paducah, Ky.

As an award-winning quilter, Bob also taught quilting classes at the Putnam County Senior Citizen Center.

Robert is survived by his son, Dwight Earl Matthews, Ph.D., and his wife Ellen of Shelburne, Vt.; his daughter, Mindy Matthews, of Florida; grandson Thomas Earl Matthews, Ph.D., and wife Kaitlin Strauss; great-grandson Robert Earl and great-granddaughter Abigail Elizabeth of Durham, N.C.; grandson Benjamin Earl Matthews, wife Kathleen, and great-granddaughter Adelynn Jane of Williston, Vt.; and 11 nieces and nephews, including Clark Matthews, Dennis Matthews and Lee Stewart and wife Susan.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his former wife, Madeline Huber Matthews; an infant daughter; two brothers, Dennis and Gene Matthews; stepfather Harmon Rogers; and two stepbrothers, Dorman Rogers and Norman Rogers.

Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at Bittles-Hurt Funeral Home, 602 E. Washington St., Greencastle, by Rev. Paul Champion, retired from First Christian Church.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Burial will be at New Providence Cemetery, directly following the ceremony.

Memorial contributions can be made to the GHS Alumni Association or the Heritage Preservation Society of Putnam County.