Kennith Leroy Mathes

Kennith Leroy Mathes, of Iron Mountain, Missouri, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025, at The Baptist Home in Arcadia Valley at the age of 93 years. He was born on October 10, 1931 in Oates, Missouri. Growing up as the eldest of five children in the home of his parents, Otho and Gladys (Wood) Mathes, he learned the value of hard work at an early age. Kennith was raised in church, and at the age of 16, he gave his heart and life to God. Over the years, Kennith, Erma, and their children attended Fredericktown Second Baptist Church, and then Iron Mountain First Baptist Church when he bought the family farm in Iron Mountain in 1967. He served as a Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, Training Union director, and a Deacon of the church for many years. Kennith made it a point to read his Bible on a daily basis, share the Word of God with those he came in contact with, and most of all praying for his family and anyone in need of prayer. On July 2, 1953 he was united in marriage to Erma Dean Short, who preceded him in death on October 13, 2019. They were married for sixty-six years and were blessed to be the parents of five children: Lee Ann Mathes (who was still born), Pamela Bunta of Bismarck, Missouri, Sharon Gibson of Bismarck, Missouri, Brenda Kuhlman of Ballwin, Missouri and Kent Mathes (Sally) of Ironton, Missouri. Kennith was blessed with 10 grandchildren, (the late Zac Gibson) and wife Crystal, Nathan Gibson (Daisy), Jeremiah Williams, Joshua Williams (Rachael), Emily Sharp (Eric), Meghan Spitzmiller (Chris Spangler), Stephen Spitzmiller (Kayla), Sarah Marxkors (Joseph), Andrew Mathes (Annie), Garrett Mathes (Brittany Phegley). He was also blessed with eighteen great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Kennith is also survived by his two sisters, Lavawn (Jim) Sencibaugh and Shirley (Wimp) Parker, both of Lesterville, Missouri, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his wife, his parents, and his daughter, Kennith was also preceded in death by his brother Guy Mathes, his sister Doris Freeman, his son-in-law David Kuhlman, and his grandson, Zach Gibson. Kennith was a 1950 graduate of Lesterville High School, and he served his country honorably for two years when he joined the United States Army in 1952. After being honorably discharged from the army, Kennith and Erma moved back to Missouri and settled in Fredericktown, Missouri. He worked at National Lead, the Missouri Highway Department, Rubberoid in Annapolis, and spent 12 years working for the Hanna Mining Company in Pilot Knob, and ultimately retired from the Wetterau Company in Desloge, MO. His work ethic and commitment to his job were admired by many, establishing him as a pillar in his community. Kennith enjoyed life. He had a booming voice and an infectious laugh that would fill a room. He would also use his voice to amaze others with his imitation of a train whistle. He enjoyed a game of pinochle, pitch, and he loved playing dominos. He was an outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish. He especially enjoyed squirrel hunting. His dad used to say that Kennith could kill a mess of squirrels when there weren’t any. He loved deer hunting, but his specialty was turkey hunting. He had the ability to call turkeys using only his voice, and call them he did. Many turkeys that were said to be uncallable were fooled by him and felled by his gun. He was also an avid fisherman. He loved trout fishing at Montauk, he loved snagging suckers at Silver Mines, but he was best known for catching channel catfish out of the St. Francis River. Kennith grew up working on his dad’s farm, but in 1967, he purchased his own farm in Iron Mountain Missouri. Working on his farm brought him much joy and satisfaction. He was an extremely hard worker, and he loved raising cattle. After he retired from work, he was always at the cattle auction in Farmington every Wednesday. Visitation and funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Iron Mountain, Missouri on Wednesday, January 22nd. Public visitation will be from 10:00 am until noon. The funeral will begin at noon and pastor John Canterberry will be officiating. Immediately following the funeral service, there will be a meal for all that wish to attend in the church fellowship hall. Following the meal, the funeral procession will make its way to the Boss Cemetery in Boss, Missouri where he will be laid to rest with full military honors. Kennith Mathes’s legacy of love, laughter, and dedication to family and the Lord will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Rest in peace, dear Kennith; you will be deeply missed. Funeral arrangements were respectfully entrusted to the care and direction of the Bryson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Iron Mountain First Baptist Church, or the Boss Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brysonfuneralhome.com.