Gerald W. Mathes

Gerald W. Mathes, 86, of Melcher-Dallas, passed away June 7, 2020 at the Chariton Specialty Care. Services will be Friday, June 12, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Melcher-Dallas. Family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Gosport Cemetery following the service. Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing will apply. The service may be viewed on the Pierschbacher Funeral Home Facebook Page at 11:00 a.m. on Friday. Gerald Wayne Mathes was born January 7, 1934 south of Attica in Marion County, Iowa to Raymond and Alice (Goematt) Mathes. He graduated from Dallas High School in 1951 and was married to his high school sweetheart, Carol Harvey, in December of 1951. They were blessed with three children: Mike, Tim, and Julie. Gerald and Carol moved to the Chariton area shortly after marrying where he began working for Fred Hobt at the Chariton Auto. Gerald at a knack for looking at something and figuring out how it worked and what needed done to fix it. He learned how to machine at Chariton Auto and the perfectionist in him made him excel in this profession. Gerald and Carol moved to Dallas in 1972 and in 1974 he opened his shop. He built a great reputation in his business and worked for farmers and racers building and repairing engines. He enjoyed his work and you would often hear him singing and humming while he worked. Gerald enjoyed working with both farmers and racers. Gerald began working with his son Mike at the shop in 2006 when he semi-retired from the machine shop. Gerald and Carol where great partners and never argued, although that might be because in later years Carol did all of his hearing for him and would relay only what he needed to know. They enjoyed going to the races and going out to eat with friends when they could. Carol found this writing many years ago and thought it fit Gerald; "Some accuse you of being a workaholic. What they don't understand is that your business is more than a money-making venture. It's also a way to get more out of your life." Gerald passed away June 7, 2020 at the age of 86. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Alice; daughter, Julie Mathes; a great granddaughter; and siblings: Wilbur Mathes, Arend Donald Mathes, and Junella Fee. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Carol; sons: Mike (Snooky) Mathes and Tim (Kay) Mathes; six grandchildren: Chad, Lisa, Jill, Beth, Danny, and DJ; 10 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Cemetery Details Gosport Cemetery 103rd Avenue and Hwy G76
Knoxville, IA 50138

Visitation

JUN 12. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)

Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Melcher-Dallas

803 Garfield Street

Melcher-Dallas, IA 50163

[email protected]

https://www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com

Service

JUN 12. 11:00 AM (CST)

Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Melcher-Dallas

803 Garfield Street

Melcher-Dallas, IA 50163

[email protected]

https://www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com