Rita Mathias

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 17, 2012 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Chaplain Tim Haworth officiating. Visitation from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Macon Cemetery, Macon, IL. Memorials may be given to the 4-H Foundation for Shelby County, IL.

Mrs. Mathias was born on June 3, 1914 in Fayette County, IL, the daughter of Frank and Lora Clark Julius. She graduated from Lovington High School and Sparks Business College in Shelbyville. Rita worked for the Ben Franklin Store and Johnston’s Super Market both in Shelbyville. She was involved with the development of the Shelbyville Restorium and worked in the office after it opened. Rita later became the office manager for Shelby Memorial Hospital. She was a member of Assumption Christian Church, Rebekah Lodge and Shelby County Home Extension. Rita was also a 4-H leader and managed the food stand at the fair for many years. She was involved in many organizations and enjoyed serving at all levels. She married Melvin W. Mathias on March 19, 1933. He died on September 9, 2002.

She is survived by her daughters, Margaret Neely of Brownsburg, IN and Janet Mount of Shelbyville; brother, Eugene R. Julius; grandchildren, John Knearem and wife Tracy, Jim Knearem and wife Kathy, Julie Kneller and husband Mike, Jodie Knearem and friend Larry, Jerry Knearem and wife Jessica, Jess Mount and wife Tracy; Marlow Stephens; Robert Mount, Greg Neely and wife Karen and Tony Neely and wife Jackie; 30 great grandchildren; 13 great great grandchildren; two nieces; and two nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin; sisters, Gladys, Eva Jewel and Rosemary; brother, Henry; two sons-in-law, John Dale Knearem and J.D. Mount; and grandson-in-law, Rodney Stephens.

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