Donald Eugene Mathews (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Donald “Don” Eugene Mathews was born June 2, 1949 in Champaign, Illinois. He passed away following a long illness of Parkinson’s and Dementia, on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Richland Care Center in Richland, Missouri. He had just turned seventy-seven years of age.
Don was raised in Illinois and entered the United States Army at age seventeen. It was with the Army he earned his G.E.D. and would serve for twenty-two years. His service took him to serve two tours in Vietnam where he served with the 442nd Medium Truck Transportation Company. He was a respected and dedicated soldier. After retiring from the Army, Don was a Civil Service employee at Fort Leonard Wood where he would work for ten years at the Commissary.
On October 12, 1982, Don was united in marriage to Janell Kay Smith. Together they shared forty-three wonderful years of marriage, building a life filled with hard work, laughter and love.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Gilbert and Lois Smith; his brothers-in-law, Dee Smith, Terry Smith and Jr. Price; a nephew, Shiloh Hicks; and his favorite little Shih Tzu, Fritz.
He is survived by his loving wife, Janell; his son, Shawn C. Mathews and his wife Stacie of Champaign, Illinois; sisters-in-law, Teresa Price, Lisa Gornto, Debbie Murrell; brothers-in-law, Rama Smith and his wife Donna, John X Smith and his wife Karen and Matt Smith and his wife Melissa; special friends Runt and Ricky; several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews.
Don had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior on June 3, 2026.
Don enjoyed watching Western’s on television, doing yard work, gardening and fishing. He liked to gamble and would go to the casino as time allowed. He looked forward to attending the Vietnam Veterans Line Haul Reunion as a part of the 442nd Medium Truck Transportation Company at Pigeon Forge each year.
He was so good at helping his family and was a kind hearted man. He loved the outdoors and the beautiful Missouri Ozarks. He looked forward to weekends with his great-nephew, Remington.
Don was many things to many people, but at the end of the day, “Don was just Don”. He will be greatly missed and his memories will stay in the hearts of those he loved.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 17 at 11 a.m. at Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Visitation will be immediately following the service until 12:15 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Waynesville at 1p.m..
A memorial of choice is suggested by the family.
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