Gaylord L. Matthews, 78, of Wesley passed away, October 25, 2017 at Trinity Living Center in Grove City.

Gaylord was born April 14, 1939 in Irwin Township, Venango County to Charles "Willard" and June Elizabeth Walter Matthews.

Gaylord attended grade school in Wesley and graduated from Victory Joint School in 1957

Gaylord was married to Elizabeth "Betty" Wike on June 24, 1961, she survives.

Gaylord stared his work career on the line crew for  Tasa Coal Company.   He also worked as a mechanic for Fowler's  Pontiac Garage in Oil City.   Gaylord started driving for his father's trucking company in 1961.   In 1965 Gaylord started driving his own truck which lead to him starting his own trucking company known as G.L Matthews Trucking which he owned and operated for  37 years.    Gaylord's greatest enjoyment was farming having started driving the tractors at age 7.  He enjoyed his fields full of  beef cattle and growing crops.   Gaylord's loves where his wife, children his grandchildren. 

Gaylord was a member of the Parker City - Allegheny Valley Lodge #521 F&AM.    Gaylord was a member of the Pleasantview Methodist Church.

Loved ones left to cherish his memory are his wife Betty of Wesley, his children Bradley G Matthews of Kennerdell,  Brandy G. Ripley and her husband Mike of Slippery Rock,  Brett G. Matthews and his wife Crystal  of Kennerdell  His grandchildren  Shannon and her husband Jared Bence of Stoneboro,  Michaela, Michenzie and Matthew Ripley all of Slippery Rock.   Emily,  Brooke and Zackery  Matthews of Kennerdell and Gaylord's first great grandchild will be here in January.   His brother Floyd C. Matthews of Stoneboro and  a sister Shirley M. Anderson of Maine also survive. 

Gaylord was welcomed into heaven by his son Brian G. Matthews, he passed August 19, 2000 his parents, his father and mother in law Wilmer and Betty Wike, his brother in laws W. Edward Wike and Jeff Wike, a sister in law Becky Matthews. 

Family will receive friends at the Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, 109 Emlenton Street, Clintonville on Friday, October 27, 2016 from 4-7.  Funeral services will take place at the funeral home Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 11:00 am with Rev. Ronald Hanky officiating, pastor of Pleasantview Methodist Church. 

Interment will take place at Pleasantview Methodist Cemetery.   

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be sent to the Pleasantview Methodist Church in care of Gary Wike, 728 Melvin Road, Harrisville PA 16038 or to   Alzheimer's  Association of Pittsburgh 1100 Liberty Ave Suite E 201, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Friends call email condolences by visiting www.mckinleyfuneralhome.net

 Service Information