Joseph ""Joe", "Jack" " Mathias

Joseph “Jack” Mathias, 86, of Lancaster, Ohio passed away Friday, June 15, 2018 at Mt. Carmel East Hospital. He was born on January 12, 1932 in Lancaster, Ohio to the late John and Mary C. Landerfelt Mathias.

Joseph was a Korean Conflict veteran serving in the US Army. He was an insurance salesman for Western-Southern Life Insurance Co. with over 30 years of service. He also worked as a real estate agent for Barker Realty during his retirement years.

He was an active and long-time member of Faith Memorial Church. His involvement included several church positions, choir, men's chorus, and usher. He was active in the Lancaster Camp of Gideons International. Professional associations included membership and leadership roles with Life Underwriters Association. He loved Christian music and traveled with his brothers, (Jerry, Gene) and friend Don Burnside, singing in many churches and camp meetings throughout Ohio. Having a passion for toy trains, he was an avid collector and was a member of the Toy Train Collectors Association. He traveled extensively throughout the world with his beloved wife and his travels included several missionary work trips.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 63 years, Twila J. Bonar Mathias; daughter, Rebecca Mathias Pursley (Rev. Fr. Bill Pursley) of Lancaster, Ohio; grandchildren, Ashley (Matthew) Canter of Wisconsin and Tristan (Michelle) Pursley of Cincinnati, Ohio; great-grandchildren, Margaret, Helen, George, Lucy and Clare Canter; brothers, Paul (Kate) Mathias of Atlanta, Georgia, Rev. James (Donna) Mathias of Logan, Ohio, Edgar Mathias and Larry (Cindy) Mathias all of Lancaster, Ohio; sisters, Mary (Richard) Chevalier of Ft. Worth, Texas, Shirley (Donald) Starner and Ellen (Paul) Cook all of Lancaster, Ohio; sister-in-law, Bette Mathias of Indiana and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, John “Gene” and Thomas Mathias; aunt, Eileen Patterson and uncle, Jacob Patterson.

Funeral service will be held Sunday, June 24, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Faith Memorial Church with Pastors Rev. Jonathan Morgan, Rev. Mel Truex and Rev. Fr. Bill Pursley officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hills Memory Gardens with the Lancaster Veterans Burial Detail conducting military rites at the cemetery. Friends may visit Saturday, June 23, 2018 from 4-8 p.m. at the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 405 N. COLUMBUS ST., LANCASTER, OHIO 43130 and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday.

Memorial gifts may be given to The Gideons International - Lancaster Camp, P.O. Box 574, Lancaster, OH 43130 or Faith Memorial Church - Music Department, 2610 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, Ohio 43130.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.

Visitation

4:00 PM - 8:00 PM ,Saturday, June 23, 2018
Frank E. Smith Funeral Home
405 N. Columbus St Lancaster, OH, Fairfield 43130

Visitation

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ,Sunday, June 24, 2018
Faith Memorial Church
2610 W. Fair Ave Lancaster, OH, Fairfield 43130

Funeral Service

3:00 PM ,Sunday, June 24, 2018
Faith Memorial Church
2610 W. Fair Ave Lancaster, OH, Fairfield 43130