Florence Matthews

Florence Jane (Brown) Matthews, Age 95, Of Battle Creek, Died Monday, January 30, 2017. She was a resident of Battle Creek, especially in the Lakeview area. She was born to Carl and Gertrude (Bowles) Brown, February 19, 1921 in Assyria, MI. She moved to Battle Creek and attended Battle Creek Public Schools, graduating from Battle Creek Central High School in 1939. She married Lawrence Jack Matthews on October 12, 1940; he preceded her in death in December of 2000. She was employed by various retail stores, but most of her career was with Transamerica Insurance Co. She was a member of Westlake Presbyterian Church. She was a Weight Watcher member for 25 years, until she was 90 years old, weighing in every month. She also was active in the Battle Creek Hospital Nursery Guild and Gift Shop, putting in thousands of volunteer hours to crochet baby items and work the gift shop. She belonged to several women’s church groups and various card clubs. She enjoyed traveling, especially by train, all types of crafts, playing cards, reading, walking and spending lots of time with family members and friends. Surviving are her two children, a Daughter, Susan J. (Eldon) Miller of White Pigeon, MI, and a son, Leonard C. (Julie) Matthews of Battle Creek; four granddaughters, Jennifer (Chad) Rogers of Galesburg, Mindy Miller of Portage, Shannon (Saul) Rodriguez of Lansing and Stacy (Kevin) Whelan of Tecumseh and five great granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her parents. In accordance with her wishes cremation has taken place and there will be no services. Burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery, with her husband. A private family graveside will take place at a later date. Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. www.henryfuneralhome.org