Jackie "Jack" Mathis

Jackie Ray Mathis, known as Jack, was born January 13, 1933, in rural Diagonal, IA to Roy R. and Ruth (Kessler) Mathis. He was raised on a farm and briefly served in the Army before being honorably discharged to return home due to a hardship case with his mother’s passing and the need to care for younger siblings.

He lived his first 27 years in Diagonal where he married Ruth Ilene Pine, followed by 18 years in Oskaloosa and to this union was born three children, Michael, Jacque and Tom. In those early years he had a variety of occupations, working as a milkman, Fullerbrush man, heavy equipment operator, and for a concrete products company.

Hethen was married to Doris Christian, moving to Des Moines around 1981 and gained three stepchildren, Mike, Mona and Mitch. While in Des Moines, he worked for a greenhouse for about 6 years and then at Allied Building Products until his retirement.

Over the years he enjoyed deer hunting with several mounted antlers and a deer head to prove it. Also, the little wood shop shed he had outside was a place to tinker and create as he dabbled in making some crafty items with his tools. Playing games and cards with family and friends were always special to Jack, but as a member of the Eagles Lodge and Croatian Fraternal Slavic Center is where he enjoyed his favorite hobby of dancing the night away! With his friendly smile and easy-going personality, he never met a stranger, so the socialization there was high on his list of entertainment to boot-scoot to the country music with his great skill of dancing he was a favorite partner on the dance floor and will be missed by many. It was there, in 2015, he met Jan Anderson, his cherished friend and companion for the last 10+ years who shared many of those dances with him as well as trips to visit family. She lovingly cared for him in his last few months of declining health until his death on November 3, 2025, at 92 years old.

Family members surviving Jack and appreciating Jan for her unwavering and faithful care of Jack are his son, Thomas (Cary) Mathis of Fulton, TX; stepchildren, Mike (Brenda) Christian of Tracy, IA, Mona Christian (Dave Kensinger) of Petersburg, AK and Mitch Christian of West Des Moines; grandson, Tory Mathis (Kristen Scholtus); granddaughters, Leona Hanna and Amy Owen; step-grandchildren, Abby (JR) Harris and Tyler (Sarah) Christian; great-grandchildren, Melanie Craig, Colleen Hanna (Mark Froisland), Alex Hanna, Brittney Marie Padavich Owen, Aven Owen, Caroline Christian; and great-great-grandchildren Remmy Lee Padavich, Jacque Lynn Jolie Bennett and Oakley Rae Johnson; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Ruth; second wife, Doris; son, Michael Roy Mathis; daughter, Jacque Rae Quintero; brothers and sisters-in-law, Billie (Odette) Mathis, Robert Duane (Shirley) Mathis; and his sisters and brother-in-law, Karen (Jack) Ethington and Charlene in infancy.

The family will greet friends Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 10:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Jack will be laid to rest Knowlton Cemetery in Diagonal, Iowa at 3:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Knowlton Cemetery Fund in loving memory of Jack.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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