Rev. James O. Mathenia

	Rev. James O. Mathenia, age 80, of Pinckneyville, died on Monday, October 14, 2002 in the St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. at 3:55 p.m.
	Rev. Mathenia was born on January 1, 1922 in Steele, Mo., the son of James I. and Melvina E. (Wright) Mathenia.  He married Ruth A. Haggard on April 30, 1941 in Caruthersville, Mo.  J.O. was a graduate of the former Southern Illinois College of Bible in Carbondale.  He served as a minister in numerous churches throughout Illinois and was still currently preaching in area churches.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II and a member of the Winkle Baptist Church.  J.O. was a devoted husband and father.
	Survivors include his wife, Ruth of Pinckneyville; three sons, James Mathenia and wife Toni of Freeport, Robert Mathenia of Pinckneyville and Paul Mathenia and wife Stephanie of Red Bud; three brothers, Leo Mathenia of Flint, Mich., Harold Mathenia of Steele, Mo. and Alvin Mathenia of  Flint, Mich.; three sisters, Bernice Lewis of Wappapello, Mo., Earline Williams of Steele, Mo. and Mary Hockaday of Nashville, Ark.; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
	He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Betty Hicks; two brothers, Fred Mathenia and L.H. Mathenia and a sister, Velta Vaughn.
	Funeral services were held a the Winkle Baptist Church on Thursday, October 17 at 10:30 a.m. with Bro. Tim McIntyre and Bro. Karl Barnfield officiating.  Interment was in the Mueller Hill Cemetery in Pinckneyville.
	 Visitation was held at the Winkle Baptist Church on Wednesday, October 16 from 6 until 9 p.m. and on Thursday from 8 a.m. until services.
	 Memorials may be made to the Winkle Baptist Church.
	 Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home of Pinckneyville was in charge of arrangements.
