Alfred Mathews

MATHEWS, Alfred “Al” A.

Alfred “Al” Harold Mathews, son of Harold and Elizabeth (Smithlin) Mathews, was born November 6, 1933 in La Crosse, WI. Al passed away in his home this Tuesday, January 20, 2015.

Al attended St. James School on the Northside and graduated from Aquinas High School. Al joined the US Army and after his honorable discharge, he worked at the La Crosse Rubber Mills, and became a licensed electrician.

Al met Donna (Troyanek) Merfeld and they were married at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in 1962. Shortly after, they moved their family to the Minneapolis area and Al began working for the Army Corp of Engineers as Lockmaster. In 1984, they returned to La Crosse where Al continued his work until he retired. In August 1988, Al’s wife Donna sadly passed away. Al began his continued journey of faith and family as a volunteer in many ways. He was proudly involved in his parish, St. James the Less Catholic Church, Al also volunteered many hours at Franciscan Skemp, Mayo Health System, as well as supporting New Horizons and the Warming Center in La Crosse by helping to collect and deliver necessities. Al was proud to travel with a diocesan group led by Msgr. Scheckel to the Ukraine, labored hard with the crew to repair and rebuild a hospice.

Al met Doris Gerlach, who were married 25 years on January 6, 1990. In between his busy hours, when spring showed their colors, you would find Al on the golf course, a sport he truly enjoyed. Al also loved the surrounding bluffs and valleys around the Mississippi River and enjoyed his daily walks.

Al is survived by his wife, Doris Mathews, children, Tom (Jana) Mathews, Stacy (Andrew) Schmidt, and grandchildren, Ryan, Brett and Monica Mathews and Scott and Michael Schmidt and Jason Ritchie. Also surviving are Al’s stepchildren, Jacki (Tom) Bartlett, Art (Ellen) Thelen, Bob Thelen, Ann (Dave) Skrove, John (Deaun) Thelen. Al is also survived by his brother, Kenneth (Cori) Mathews and sisters, Cheryl (Fred) Lanzel, Arlene (Joseph) Schwabenbauer and many nieces and nephews.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Harold & Elizabeth Mathews, wife, Donna (Troyanek-Merfeld) Mathews, children, Kurt Mathews and Lynn Mathews Hunt. He was also preceded in death by his brothers and their wives, Frank & Nancy (Virock) Mathews, Arlen & Suzanne (Viner) Mathews, sisters, Jean and Mary Lou (Mathews) and John Rochester.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 23, 2015 in St. James the Less Catholic Church 1032 Caledonia St., La Crosse, Wis. Rev. Robert Schaller will officiate with burial with Military Rites by the Roy L. Vingers Post 52, to be held in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse, Wis. Family and friends may call from 4 to 6:00 PM Thursday at the Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. So., La Crosse, Wis. Family and friends may also call from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass in the church on Friday.