ERNEST MATTHEWS

FRANCIS-Services for Ernest Wilbur "Ernie" Matthews, 81, Francis, are 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. Steve DeShazo will officiate. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Francis. The Chickasaw Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the cemetery.

Mr. Matthews died Monday, April 13, 2009 at his home. He was born May 7, 1927 at Francis, Oklahoma to Fred Lee and Mary Jane Henson Matthews. He lived in the Francis area all his life and attended Francis school.

He married Margie Harris on February 14, 1948 at Francis. Mr. Matthews was a self-employed driller and pumper in the oilfield industry. He was a member of the Francis Baptist Church, the American Legion, Post #72 in Ada, and had served in the U. S. Army during World War II from January 15, 1946 until being honorably discharged as a Private First Class February 13, 1947.

Survivors include his wife, Margie June Matthews, of the home; one daughter, Sharon and husband Roger Jared, Bartlesville; one son, Gary Matthews and wife Sheila, Francis; grandchildren, Sheryl Goodson and husband Jack, Allen, Shannon Coman and husband Dave, Tulsa, Kanan Matthews and wife Tasha, Allen, and Matt Lewis, Bartlesville; nine great grandchildren; five sisters, Hazel Phillips, Francis, Helen Canada, Ada, Leatha Linebarger, Francis, Eva Lois Picking, Salina, KS, and Wanda Vitatoe, Sulphur Springs, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Raymond Matthews, Leonard Matthews, and Harold (Cotton) Matthews; and one sister, Dorothy Matthews.

Bearers will be his grandsons, Kanan Matthews and Matt Lewis; his grandsons-in-law, Dave Coman and Jack Goodson; and two nephews, Fred Martin and John Linebarger. Honorary bearers will be Ed Smith, Justin Smith, Roger Lancaster, Bill Kirkes, Jerry West, Richard Watson, Max Wainscott, and Charles West.

Criswell Funeral Home, ada