Obituary for Walter Elwood Matthews Sr.
Walter Elwood “Woody” Matthews, Sr., 76, of Chambersburg, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2019 at the Chambersburg, Hospital. Born October 26, 1942 in Portsmouth, VA, he was a son of the late Garland and Mary Rawles Matthews.
Woody earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University in 1971. He was employed at Corning Glass Works for over 40 years until his retirement in 2002. He enjoyed woodworking, whittling, following Clemson football, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He also coached basketball and served as a scout leader.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Martha E. Beaton Matthews, whom he married on June 9, 1963; three children, Walter E. Matthews, Jr. and wife Melissa of Gaithersburg, MD, Debbie Hann and husband Scott of Chambersburg, and Chris Matthews and wife Tracey of Chambersburg; five grandchildren, Danielle Boock of Chambersburg, Alyssa Boock of Morgantown, WV, Jeremy and Rachel Matthews, both of Gaithersburg, MD, and Landry Matthews of Chambersburg; three siblings, Mary Hall of Richmond, VA, Mike Matthews and wife Kitty of Suffolk, VA, and Wayne Matthews and wife Sherrie of Zephyrhills, FL; and his sister-in-law, Peggy Matthews of Lexington, SC. In addition to his parents, Woody was preceded in death by his brother, Tony Matthews.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 28, 2019 in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday evening and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department, 101 West Main St., Fayetteville, PA 17222.
Woody earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University in 1971. He was employed at Corning Glass Works for over 40 years until his retirement in 2002. He enjoyed woodworking, whittling, following Clemson football, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He also coached basketball and served as a scout leader.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Martha E. Beaton Matthews, whom he married on June 9, 1963; three children, Walter E. Matthews, Jr. and wife Melissa of Gaithersburg, MD, Debbie Hann and husband Scott of Chambersburg, and Chris Matthews and wife Tracey of Chambersburg; five grandchildren, Danielle Boock of Chambersburg, Alyssa Boock of Morgantown, WV, Jeremy and Rachel Matthews, both of Gaithersburg, MD, and Landry Matthews of Chambersburg; three siblings, Mary Hall of Richmond, VA, Mike Matthews and wife Kitty of Suffolk, VA, and Wayne Matthews and wife Sherrie of Zephyrhills, FL; and his sister-in-law, Peggy Matthews of Lexington, SC. In addition to his parents, Woody was preceded in death by his brother, Tony Matthews.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 28, 2019 in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday evening and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department, 101 West Main St., Fayetteville, PA 17222.