David A. Matthews

Funeral services for 1LT (Ret)David Alan Matthews,86, Junction City will be held at 10a.m., Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington Street with Rev. Kenton Van officiating. Burial with full military honors and Masonic ritual will follow at Highland Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8pm Friday, February 5, 2010 at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel. David passed away February 2, 2010 at Golden Living Center in Wakefield, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, VA Hospital, Bldg. 24, RM 106G, 2200 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka, KS 66622.

David as born December 18, 1923 in Marietta, Ohio the son of Walter T. and Charlene (Hart) Matthews. He graduated Bexley High School June 12, 1941 in Bexley, Ohio. Following his graduation from high school, David worked for the Battelle Memorial Institue as a research technician. He married Virginia, and they had three sons, David, Jr., Norman & Bruce.

David entered the Military Service with U.S. Army Air Corps on June 13, 1943 and was assigned with the 370th Bomb Squadron, 307th Bomb Group. During his service with the 370th, David was the aircraft radio operator and a machine gunner, and he saw action in several major engagements, including the Bismarck Archipelago, the West Pacific, North Solomon's Islands, Southern Philippines, Luzon Island (Phil), China, and New Guinea.

David was wounded in combat on April 7, 1945, while in action over the Dutch East Indies, and received the Purple Heart. David was honorably discharged from the services on October 5, 1945. He returned to Ohio and attended Ohio State University. He re-entered the Military as a member of the Ohio National Guard in 1950. When the Guard was activated in the early 1950's, David once again found himself on active duty with the U.S. Army. Assignments took him to California, Germany, and Kansas.

In Kansas he met and married Dolores Ann Matthews. They have three sons, Douglas, Dennis and Daniel. The family traveled extensively, from Texas and Germany to Seattle, Los Angeles and Maryland. They returned to Texas, and while there David received orders for a tour in Korea. In Korea, David suffered a mild heart attack that resulted in a medical separation and honorable discharge from the Army in December of 1970.

Resettled in Kansas, David was employed with the McCall's Pattern Company beginning in 1971, and he retired as a senior electrician with McCall's in 1989. He and Dolores built a retirement home in 1989 on the shores of Milford Lake.

However, Dolores passed away in February of 1998. David remained in Milford, but heard from someone that he had first met in the 1960's. In 2002, David moved to El Paso, Texas, and married Hilde Zeigler. They lived in El Paso until they relocated to Southern California in 2004. David and Hilde lived in Escondido. Unfortunately, Hilde passed away in October of 2007.

David returned to Kansas in May of 2008, and moved to Wakefield in September of last year. He is survived by sons; David Jr. & wife Peg of Fairborn, OH, Bruce & wife Linda of Gahanna, OH, Norman & wife Gail of Phoenix, AZ, Douglas & wife Helen of Great Bend, KS, Dennis & wife Young of NE, Daniel & wife Janet of KS. Many Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.

David was a life member of Disabled American Veterans through the Pearl Harbor Chapter (Chapter 16) of Junction City. He served as the chapter commander and treasurer, and in 1986-87 served as the DAV Commander for the State of Kansas. David was a Shriner, and was a 32 degree Mason with the AF & AM Union Lodge 7. He was an avid supporter of the 307th Bomb Group reunions until his health prevented his participation. He traveled the country to attend the events and was very proud of his service.

David was a friend to everyone he met. He gave of his time to serve as a church user and arranged parties and meetings with hospitalized veterans. He loved cats and was an avid model railroader.