Obituary of Daryl Matthews

Daryl A. "Butch" Matthews, 66, of Niles, passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles, following an extended illness. Butch was born on September 17, 1943 in Niles, Michigan to the late Lawrence and Bonnie (Adams) Matthews. After graduating high school, Butch enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country proudly in the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge. After his return from the war, Butch went to work for Modineer for several years and then to National Standard as a machinist and has remained there as a faithful employee for over thirty six years. On November 22, 1969 Butch married Susan Gromski at a ceremony in Niles, Michigan. Together the couple enjoyed many hobbies including traveling and hiking in the Smokey Mountains and attending classic car shows. Butch was well known for his 1955 Chevy he had rebuilt and won many awards and trophies. An avid outdoorsman, he spent many hours fishing and hunting and built his own muzzleloader. Butch was a member of the Edwardsburg Conservation Club for many years. He also enjoyed his quiet times reading non-fiction outdoor adventure books. Butch is preceded in death by his parents and step parents Bonnie (Robert) Brady and Lawrence (Judy) Matthews, his daughter Jennifer Matthews, a step-sister Berneth Dokey and a step brother Alvin Matthews. He is survived by his wife of forty years Susan Matthews of Niles, two sisters Linda (Roland) Fahlsing of Angola, Indiana and Ruth (Jake) Nieuwland of Salt Lake City, Utah, two step-sisters Sharon Matthews of Niles and Carmen (James) Smith of Tennessee a step brother George Matthews of Tennessee and a half -sister Cindy (Phillip) Seitenstich of Dowagiac.