Joanne Marjorie (Fricke) Mathews

Joanne M. Mathews, age 90 of Cardington, died on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Bennington Glen Nursing Home. She was born on April 23, 1934, in Marion to the late Paul L. and Adah C. (Click) Fricke.

Joanne graduated from Cardington Lincoln High School in 1952. She had worked at H.P.M as a Detailer and had worked at Fort Leavenworth as an Illustrator.

On April 30, 1955, in Cardington, Joanne married the love her life, Robert G. Mathews and he preceded her in death on February 7, 2020.

Joanne owned and operated Mathews Marathon Service Station alongside her husband Bob for over 60 years. She had also been a member of the Cardington Swimming Pool Board. Over the years, Joanne spent a lot of her time with photography and had taken pictures for the Cardington Independent, Morrow County Sentinel, and the Marion Star. Her greatest gift though, was her artwork. She spent numerous hours drawing and painting pictures, many of Cardington. You can see a lot of her drawings hanging around town or even on an old postcard.

Left to cherish Joanne's memory is a son, Mark Mathews of Cardington and a daughter-in-law, Jackie Mathews of Cardington; three grandchildren; Lindsey (Jed Haldeman), Justin (Laura Hooks), and Adrean (Garrett Ullom) Mathews; great-granddaughter, Elara Hooks-Mathews and Linda and Felicia George.

In addition to her parents and husband, Joanne was preceded in death by a son, David Mathews and three sisters: Evelyn Long, Marlene Heimlich, and Norita Mories.

Friends may call on Thursday June 13, 2024, from 4:00 until 7:00PM at Gompf Funeral Home, 440 Center Street in Cardington. The funeral service will be held on Friday June 14, 2024, at 10:30AM at the funeral home with Pastor Molly King officiating. Following the service, the burial will take place in the Glendale Cemetery.


The family would like to acknowledge the pallbearers: Mike King, Stan Mories, Kevin Long, Alan Long, Jed Haldeman, Justin Mathews, and Garrett Ullom.


Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider the Cardington Fire Department or the Morrow County Dog Shelter.

Gompf Funeral Service of Cardington is honored to have been chosen to assist the Mathews family with Joanne's final wishes and condolences may be expressed at www.gompffh.com.