Robert A. Mathieus Sr.

RACINE - Robert A. Mathieus, Sr., age 84, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at Wheaton-Franciscan Hospital. He was born in Racine, September 25, 1931, son of the late Raymond E. and Elsie (Nee: Yowell) Mathieus.

Bob graduated from William Horlick High School in 1950, and attended Vocational school. His first job was as a grocery clerk in 1947. He is a veteran of the Korean War serving in the U.S. Airforce from January 1951 to January 1955.

He worked at Walker Manufacturing Co., from 1955 to 1959 where he served as a union steward of Local 85. In 1959, he joined J.I. Case Company, following his father’s lead as a steward of UAW Local 180. He was elected as vice-president of Local 180 in 1960, and moved up to president in 1966, serving five consecutive 2-year terms. He was proud of his relationships, and bargaining committee accomplishments. Together, they worked to achieve many first-time benefits that workers today enjoy, such as company-paid jury duty, bereavement pay, and improved medical insurance.

On July 31, 1954, he was united in marriage to Edna May Anderson at North Cape Lutheran Church. They made their home in Racine, and raised three children. Bob’s smile and appreciation for life was contagious. He had many interests, and loved his family, home, and garden. If you stopped in to visit, you would always find him busily working with Edna May on one of their many DIY projects. If you were lucky, you might be asked for assistance.

Until his vision was dimmed through macular degeneration, he especially enjoyed his hobby of transforming family photographs and clips from his Brownie movie camera, into his own “RAM” video productions. Many thanks to granddaughter Kimberlee who helped Poppa “see” when his eyes failed him. Bob spent countless hours reorganizing and updating his collection; a very special gift to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was blessed to spend time with his six great-grandchildren, and to know another is on the way.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Edna May, children Linda (Jerry) Verwey, Sharon (Brian) Truss, and Robert Mathieus. Jr.. “Poppa” will be remembered fondly by his grandchildren, Shannon (Todd) Bennett, Kimberlee Verwey, Melissa (Chris) Yochem, Krystal (Brandon) Giese, Nicole Mathieus, and Amber Mathieus; sisters-in-law, Ell Verne Pluck and Angie Theurich; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Bob was also preceded in death by his brothers, Clifford and Kenneth (Elaine) Mathieus.

A celebration of Robert's life will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016. Relatives and friends may meet at Emmaus Lutheran Church, 1925 Summit Ave, for visitation beginning at 9:30 and a service beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Mary Janz officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at West Lawn Cemetery. Memorials to Emmaus Lutheran Church, the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association have been suggested.

The family would like to express special thanks to the doctors and staff at Wheaton-Franciscan Hospital Cardio-Vascular unit, for their kind, compassionate care during this difficult time.