John Mathes was born July 22, 1909, in Comanche, Oklahoma, to John and Iola Guest Mathes, and passed from this life October 12,2002, in the Meridian Nursing Home at the age of ninety-three.

John and Molly Cleo Swindell were united in marriage on December 28, 1928, in Comanche, Oklahoma. He worked as city manager for Comanche until his retirement in the 70's. John was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Comanche and also of the Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include: two sons - Joe B. and his wife Pat, of Comanche, OK, and Kenneth and his wife Linda, of Ardmore, OK; one daughter - Christene and her husband Gerald Wampler of Meridian, OK; one sister - Mary Ellsworth of Oklahoma City, OK; five grandchildren - Linda Stilwell, David Mathes, JoAnn Mathes, Shirley Watkins, and Randy Mathes; and five great-grandchildren - Chris Travis, Joe Travis, Jacob Mathes, Joshua Mathes, and Jeremiah Mathes.

Mr. Mathes was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Cleo in 1983, one sister and two brothers.

Graveside services for Mr. Mathes were at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, October 15, 2002, in the Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Comanche. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chisholm Trail Hospice or the American Cancer Society.