MATTHEWS, Ben Forrester

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ April 12, 1995, p. 2 Ben Forrester Matthews of Salome died April 7 in Salome. He was 75. Mr. Mathews was born March 13, 1920 in Rotan, Fisher County, Texas. He had lived in Arizona for the past 40 years, coming here from California. Mr. Matthews was a prominent pioneer farmer in the Salome-Wenden area, until his retirement in 1978. He served on the Northern Yuma County High School District Board for 15 years. He was also on the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service committee in Yuma for nine years and was a member of the Wickenburg Soil Conservation District for a number of years. Mr. Matthews was instrumental in forming the Community Bank of Arizona, and was a director for 10 years. He was elected Supervisor of La Paz County District 3, from 1985-1988, serving in the county seat of Parker. Mr. Mathews was a life member of VFW Post No. 3780 in Salome. He also helped to design and built the Pot Home there. Mr. Matthews served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed working on old gas engines and getting them to run. His wife would often paint the engines her husband worked on, and the couple would attend various meets with their engines. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Dorothy of Salome; daughters Debra Rogers of Skull Valley and Susan Foster of Prescott; sons Scott F. Matthews and Marcus B. Matthews, both of Salome; sisters, Osre Looschen of San Bernardino, California, and Lois Traxler of Lake Havasu City; brother Donald F. Matthews of Santa Barbara, California; and seven grandchildren. Services are scheduled for noon Thursday (April 13) at Frey Funeral Home in Wickenburg, with graveside committal services to follow at Wickenburg Municipal Cemetery. Pastor Ed Wessling will officiate. Frey Funeral Home and Cremation Service was in charge of all arrangements.