Obituary of Stephen R. Mathews

MATHEWS , STEPHEN R. Age 87 of Winston-Salem , NC formerly of Horseheads , NY passed away on Thursday November 21 , 2013. Stephen was born September 20 , 1926 in Elmira Heights , NY the son of the late Carl and Sophie Bilinski Mathews . He was a Veteran of World War II serving his country with The U.S. ARMY . Mr. Mathews was retired from Hardinge Inc. in Elmira , NY and a member of Hardinge Mens Club . He was a communicant of St. Mary Our Mother Church in Horseheads , NY and presently attended Holy Cross Church in Kernersville , NC . Stephen was pre-deceased by his first wife Elaine M. Corbin Mathews on September 23 , 1986 and was also pre-deceased by his second wife Shirley D. Colby Deacon Mathews on June 28 , 2002. Mr. Mathews loved his family and friends and treasured the time he spent with them. Stephen is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law : Stephen & Christina Mathews of Sun City Center , Florida , Bruce & Connie Mathews of Horseheads, NY; Kenneth Mathews of Scipio Center, NY; daughters and sons-in-law: Brenda Miller of Winston-Salem, NC; Rosanne and Andy Moroneso of Pfafftown, NC ; Cynthia Mathews of Winston-Salem, NC ; Mary McLean of Fernandina Beach, FL; step-daughter and son-in-law: Sheree and Warren Novick of Virginia Beach, VA ; sister: Rose Mathews of Coal Township, PA ; 21 grandchildren : Michele & Jeff Melville of Bethlehem , GA , Lori & Miles Digati of Bradenton , FL , Michael Mathews of Gainesville, FL , Daniel Villard of Elmira , NY , Jami & Shane Clune of Elmira, NY , Toni & Jeff Schierloh of Huntersville , NC , Niki Mathews of Elmira , NY , Tarryn & Brad Little of Raleigh , NC , Elaina McLean of Atlanta , GA , Connor McLean of Fernandino Beach ,FL , Kseniya Mathews of Moravia, NY , Lisa & Brent Jensen of Elmira , NY , James Lazenby of Elmira , NY ; step-grandchildren : Rebecca Novick of Virginia Beach , VA , and David Novick of Downey , CA ; 14 great grandchildren; several brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of caring friends including very special friends Joseph Klebon of Coal Township, PA , Frank & Joanne Ovnic of Kernersville , NC , and next door neighbors Matthew & Diane Murnane and their daughters Morgan , Grace , and Erin . Stephen adored these girls and made it a point to tell everyone they were his adopted granddaughters . They called him their Papa Buzzard . Stephen was known to many by his nickname "The Buzzard" . Relatives and friends are invited to call at the LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 318 WEST BROAD STREET HORSEHEADS, NY on Sunday December 1 , 2013 from 4-7 PM . A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Our Mother Church 816 West Broad Street Horseheads, NY on Monday December 2 , 2013 at 10 AM . Interment in Maple Grove Cemetery in Horseheads , NY where Full Military Honors will be accorded to Mr. Mathews.