Mildred Matthews July 13, 1915-February 12, 2010
Mildred Matthews, 94, of Coarsegold, California entered eternity Friday, February 12, 2010. Mildred, lovingly called Millie, Mil and even ‘the Old Crab,’ was the seventh child born to Daniel and Blanche Knox Bruner on July 13, 1915. Millie spent the first 91 years of her full life in Clearfield, Iowa. She attended Cornbread, Grant Center and Clearfield high school. At an early age she became a member of Greenwood Church and later found her church home at the Clearfield Methodist Church.
When asked about her life, Millie would proudly tell she was blessed to have had two wonderful husbands. On May 23, 1940 she married Lawrence Sayler. To this union two sons were born, Larry and Wayne. They worked, farmed and raised their boys together until Lawrence’s death.
On July 27, 1957, Mildred married Kenneth Matthews. They spent many wonderful years together, working, teaching, playing cards with friends and dancing in the evenings until Kenneth’s death in 1985.
Millie believed in hard work and was not content unless she was busy providing for her boys and reaching out to help others. In her younger years she taught Sunday school and held the office of superintendent. She spent many wonderful years teaching school and had more than a little influence in the lives of the young people of Clearfield. She was a hard worker and was dedicated to help those kids learn and grow. After retirement she worked for Nurses On Call, volunteered at Greater Community Hospital and was a lay leader at church. She was most content when she was serving others.
After Kenneth’s death, Millie had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Beverly, Kentucky ministering to the people of Appalachia. She often spoke of the impact this trip had on her life and that it was there that she ‘met God.’
With hands that were never idle, Millie spent almost every evening of her life playing cards, crocheting, embroidering, reading poetry and studying the Bible. She surprised many people when she decided to move to California to live with her son, Larry, in 2005. She often spoke of this time as a gift because she had not been able to spend a great deal of time with the boys after their father passed away.
She spent the last five years of her life visiting many different places in California and having many opportunities to visit and travel with Larry, his daughter, Courtney, his son, Craig and his family. They took trips to the desert, the beach, the mountains and along the many California highways. It was always a pleasure for her to go on a ride in the car. No matter how many times she rode along the same road, she would always see something new and they all learned to appreciate the ever-changing wildflowers. At the ‘young age’ of 93, Mildred could be found wandering around their little home spreading wildflower seeds in hopes there would be a better display next year.
Mildred is survived by her sons, Larry of California and Wayne and wife Nancy of Illinois; seven grandchildren, Greg and wife Tania, Doug and wife Dana, Tim, Mike and wife Katie, Lisa and husband Milan, Craig and wife Bekki and Courtney; 17 great-grandchildren, Nate, Nick, Jake, Tyra, Dylan, Drew, Logan, Hayden, Preston, Alex, Andrew, Nicholas, Thomas, Micah, Isaac, Sam and Stephen; one sister, Helen; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
When asked what the highlights of her life were, she would consistently say spending time with her children and grandchildren, the mission trip to Kentucky and teaching school.
Services were conducted on Friday, February 19, 2010, at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield with Rev. Richard Brown officiating. Patty Parish was the musician.
Casket bearers included Craig Sayler, Greg Sayler, Doug Sayler, Tim Sayler, Mike Sayler and John Lyddon.
Memorials were to Micah Sayler, 22001 Mid Way, Tehachapi, CA 93561.
Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Clearfield was in charge of the arrangements.
Millie was laid at rest in the Clearfield cemetery, Clearfield.
