Millard "Phil" Mathews

Millard Philip “Phil” Mathews, 82, of Fontana, Kansas passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Hospice House in Olathe on May 28, 2019. Phil was born March 23, 1937 in Linn County, Kansas to Millard and Opal Hauser Mathews. He attended schools in Linn County and graduated from Parker High School in 1956. He joined the army in 1957 and served 18 months in the U.S. and Korea as an aircraft mechanic. He married Juanita Arnett on May 8, 1959 in Fontana, Kansas. They made their home in Osawatomie. The also lived in Council Grove for a short time before returning to Osawatomie. During that time, he worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a carman and the Skelly Service Station in Osawatomie. He was also a truck driver for Slayman Beverage Company for a few years. In 1973 the family moved to the Fontana area where Philip and Juanita purchased the Fontana School Bus Service from Juanita’s parents. They owned and operated the service until they sold the business in 1998. During this time, he was also a rural mail carrier for the Fontana area. He retired from the post office in 2000. Phil’s pride and joy was his family. He loved family get togethers and often just sat back and watched and smiled. Phil was a member of the Church of Christ of Fontana, Past Exalted Ruler and life member on the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks of Osawatomie, and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters Carol Chitwood and Lucille Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Juanita of the home; two sons, Philip A. Mathews (Glora) of Paola and Donald E. Mathews (Deve) of Spring Hill; 6 grandsons, Clint Mathews (Molly), Trevor Mathews (Katie), Christopher Mathews (Ashlee), Jason Mathews, Brad Mathews (Morgan), and Dylan Thompson; and 8 great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Church of Christ of Fontana or Olathe Health Hospice House. To share your memories of Phil or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click on the Share a Memory box.