Lyle Edwin Mathews Sr.

Lyle Edwin Mathews Sr., 82, of Reelsville, passed away Friday, Nov. 18, 2011 after a lengthy illness.

Lyle was born June 14, 1929 in Putnam County, the son of James and Mary (Barr) Mathews.

He graduated from Reelsville High School, worked for the state highway department, served two years in the United States Army, and was then employed by PSI/Cinergy. Lyle spent 38 years at General Headquarters Plainfield, the garage, before retiring in 1991.

He enjoyed playing and coaching softball for many years in Plainfield, Greencastle, Brazil and Terre Haute.

After retirement, he continued to play on the Old-Timers Softball Team for PSI. He also continued to work on family and friends' automobiles. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, raising animals and his pets.

He was a member of the Reelsville Volunteer Fire Department for several years.

He is survived by his wife Garlinda (Trout) Mathews, daughters Rhonda Mathews of Bloomington and Tenia (Mathews) Wheat and her husband John of Shepherdsville; sons, Lyle (Eddie) Mathews Jr. and wife Lynn of Brazil, Marlon (Hoffer) Mathews of Brazil and Cliff Mathews of Reelsville; sisters Adrenne and Don Patterson of Greencastle, and Carol and Bob Gerlach of Cloverdale; brothers, Gene and Delores Mathews of Brazil, and Rick and Sandy Shepard of Beaverville, Ill.; brother-in-law Don Trout and his wife Janet of Florida; 11 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Marlene Hutcheson.

Services will be held at French Funeral Home, Brazil, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 with Dick McShanog presiding. Burial will follow at Croy's Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Reelsville Volunteer Fire Department, Reelsville Little League or Benwood Church.