Joseph Dudley Matthews Sr.

Dr. Matthews died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at his home.

He was born April 25, 1927, in rural Valley Falls, the son of John Clarence and Noma Merle (Lewis) Matthews.

He attended one-room schools in Jefferson County and graduated from Atchison County Community High School, Washburn University and University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry with his professional appointment in oral roentgenology and diagnoses.

Dr. Matthews served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946. He had practiced dentistry in Leavenworth since 1959 and had a branch office in Nortonville. He also worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Leavenworth, the State Hospital in Topeka, Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., and Neurological Hospital in Kansas City. He also farmed and raised cattle.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Leavenworth, where he served on the board and committee of social concerns and was a choir member. He was also a member of Mount Zion Masonic Lodge No. 266 AF & AM in Nortonville, Fi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity, Pierce Fauchard Academy, Federation Dentaire International, a life member of American Dental Assn. and a member and past president of Leavenworth Dental Assn. He was registered with the Kansas and New Mexico dental boards.

He married Maralee Ann Alexander on Jan. 27, 1951, in Huntsville, Ark. She died July 31, 1997.

Survivors include two sons, Joseph D. Jr., Los Alamos, N.M., and William S., Easton; four daughters, Paula Clarine Boyea, Leavenworth, Pamela Jo Meyer, Fort Campbell, Ky., Sara Lee Matthews Tisdel, Lansing, and Vera Ann Matthews, Medina, Ohio; four sisters, Noma Kathleen Eisler, Topeka, Mary Lou Irwin, Topeka, June Clarine Coleman, Holton, and Viola Caroline Ruth Kern, Denison; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Barnett Funeral Home in Oskaloosa.

The family suggests memorials to Kansas City Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 416, Oskaloosa 66066.