Leo G. “J.R.” Mathis, Jr.
- Visitation Dates and Times
Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
- Visitation Location
Moss Funeral Home ~ Breese
- Service Date
Saturday, January 28, 2023
- Service Time
11:00 a.m.
- Service Location
Moss Funeral Home ~ Breese
- Full Obituary
Leo G. “J.R.” Mathis, Jr., age 83, of Carlyle, passed away Monday, January 23, 2023 at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese.
He was born October 24, 1939 in Sparta, a son of the late Charlotte Mae, nee Henson, and Leo G. Mathis, Sr.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Ryan C. Mathis; step-grandson, Ian Faber; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George N. and Emma, nee Henrici, Laufer; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Viola (Frank) Kessler, Russell (Lena) Laufer, Harley Laufer, Earl (Edna) Laufer, Flora (Melvin) Lentz, Ruby (Clarence) Schiber, Otis (Lillian) Laufer, Melba (Raeburn) Leuschke, and Hazel Wilson.
J.R. is survived by his wife, Edith Mathis, nee Laufer, of Carlyle, whom he married March 7, 1957 in Perryville, MO; children, Pamela (Steven) Faber of Pontiac, Tammy (Robert) Lyons of Boulder, Kimberly (Steven) Spihlmann of Carlyle, and Jeffrey (Dee) Mathis of LaGrange, GA; grandchildren, Brent (Stephanie) Hofbauer, Leslie (Joey) Monahan, Jill Brandt, Julie (Tim) Robert, Janelle (Kyle) Lyons, Jacqulyn Spihlmann, Kristina (Kevin) Schwarz, Lisa (Phillip) Spaulding, Nicholas (Mackenzie) Spihlmann, and Lauren Mathis; step-grandchildren, Brent (friend, Agata) Faber, Adrienne Faber, Hunter Plant, and Sammy Plant; twenty-five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; siblings, LaDonna (John) Capozzi of Florida, Sharon (Aaron Phillips) Moody of Florida; half-siblings, Steven (Shelly) Mathis of O’Fallon and Lynn (Lenny) Loyd of Marissa; brother-in-law, Pete Wilson of Steeleville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
J.R. retired from Dow Jones in Highland after twenty-five years and worked as a Press Foreman. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Carlyle, former Assistant Director at Illinois Good Sam camping group, and belonged to GCIU Local 6-505 in St. Louis. J.R. and his wife enjoyed camping and traveling and together they visited all fifty states and forty-nine of them with their motorhome. They were regular snowbirds to Mesa, AZ and also summered two years in Alaska.
Funeral Service will be Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Breese with Pastor Scott Broughton officiating. Interment will follow at Percy Village Cemetery, Percy, IL.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Breese.
In lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org or will be received at the visitation or by mail, Moss Funeral Home, 535 N 5th St. Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.
