Mary J. Matthews

Mary J. Matthews, 82, of Goshen, died early Sunday morning, August 6, 2006, in the Gables at Greencroft Healthcare where she was admitted on Friday.   She was born March 3, 1924, in Nappanee, Indiana, to Joseph M. and Amanda (Schmucker) Miller.  She married Peter M. Matthews in Chicago on November 7, 1969.  He died February 23, 1996.   A long time Goshen resident, Mrs. Matthews was a member of the East Goshen Mennonite Church.  A 1953 graduate of Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton, Kansas, she served with MCC as a Mission Nurse in Indonesia from 1961 to 1964.   Mrs. Matthews was a nurse at Goshen General Hospital until her retirement in 1989.  She was one of the first nurses at the new hospital on South Main Street when the hospital moved from 5th Street.   She was an avid reader and loved to sew for her many nieces and nephews and for Mennonite Central Committee.   She is survived by five brothers, Joseph (Phyllis) Miller of South Bend, Indiana, Edward J. (Olive Grace) Miller and Marvin J. (Ruth) Miller, both of Elkhart, Lester J. (Martha) Miller of Toledo, Ohio, and Eli J. (Connie) Miller of Puyallup, Washington; two sisters, Elizabeth Tyson of New Paris and Fannie Mae (Marvin) Miller of Nappanee; and many nieces and nephews.   Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, August 9, and one hour prior to the Thursday service at the funeral home.   A 10:00 a.m. funeral service will be conducted at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home on Thursday, August 10, 2006.  Pastors Steve Slagel and Rhonda Yoder of the East Goshen Mennonite Church will officiate.   Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen.   Memorial contributions may be designated to Mennonite Central Committee.