Ronie Matthews
March 4, 1941 — November 22, 2011
Ronie M. Matthews, 70, of Hagerstown, Maryland, passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at his home.
Born on March 4, 1941 in Dayton, Ohio, he was the son of the late Romie C. and Ella Mae (Inman) Matthews. He was preceded in death by his first wife Jeanne (Brissette) Matthews.
Mr. Matthews was a 20 year veteran of the United States Navy. Having achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer, he served as a Gunner's Mate for three tours in Vietnam. He also served as a member of the crew that built the U.S.S. Bainbridge Nuclear Destroyer and was aboard for the worldwide tour.
Ronie retired in 1986 from the Maryland Correctional Training Center where he had worked as a Correctional Officer.
He was a lifetime member of the VFW William D. Byron Post #1936 in Hagerstown, the American Legion Dixon-Troxell Post #211 in Funkstown, Maryland, and formerly was a member of the Amvets Post #10 in Hagerstown.
Ronie is survived by his wife, Mary F. (Bowers) Matthews; four sons, Michael C. Matthews and his wife Bonnie of Warren, Maine, Daniel J. Matthews and his wife Sue of Smithsburg, Maryland, Thomas J. Rice and his wife Debra of Jackson, Michigan, and Rodney L. Rice and his wife Lori of Ocala, Florida; one sister, Jane E. Hurd and her husband Jim of Hagerstown; seventeen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He will also be deeply missed by his special and loving dog, Missey.
In addition to his parents and his first wife, he was preceded in death by two sons, James and Darren Matthews; and his brother, Dennis Matthews.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike, Boonsboro. Rev. Clarence Hurd will officiate. Military honors will be rendered immediately following the ceremony at the funeral home by the Marine Corps League and the Amvets Post #10 of Hagerstown. Interment services will be held privately.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 25, 2011 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21742.