Obituary of Jay Mathew

Jay L. Mathew, 92 formerly of Coralville, died Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at the home of his son, Ed who Jay had been living with in North Liberty. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 19, 2008, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Burial with military honors will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be after 10am Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for Pathways of Iowa City. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Jay, also known to many as “Cap or Matt” was born November 4, 1915, in Meadow Valley, WI, the son of J. Earl and Vera (Pate) Mathew. Moving to this area as a child, he graduated from Iowa City City High School. Following high school he enlisted in the United States Army serving overseas during World War II. He was married Pauline E. Crossett, following her death he married Mary White. He later rekindled a relationship with his former high school sweetheart, Mildred Lovetinsky with whom they enjoyed each others company for many years until her death. Jay worked for the Iowa City School System for over thirty years as a custodian at Coralville Central Elementary School. He also was a self-employed locksmith, owning Matt’s Northside Locksmith for many years. He enjoyed dancing, playing cards and the outdoors, especially camping. He was a member of the Coralville Optimist Club in his younger days, and also the Loyal Order of the Moose. In his later years, one of the most important moments, was when he allowed Christ into his life, and was able to die knowing his eternal freedom to come. His family includes a son, J. Ed Mathew and his wife, Oy of North Liberty; grandsons, John Mathew and his wife, Kristy of Overland Park, KS, and Jay E. Mathew and his wife, Heather of Aurora, IL; eight great-grandchildren, Avery, Brady, Reagan, Kendall, Eli, Isaac, Alaina, and Ian; and two sisters, Virginia Pickering of Colorado, and Sue Cottrel of California. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Jay’s family and his services.