Merlin “Merlie” O. Mathews

Obituary

Merlin “Merlie” Orville Mathews was born on December 30, 1942, in Bergen Township, McLeod County, Minnesota. He was the son of Orville and Gloria (Dohman) Mathews. Merlin was baptized as an infant on January 31, 1943, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 19, 1957, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota. He received his education through the 11^th Grade in Glencoe, Minnesota.

On November 12, 1966, Merlin was united in marriage to Janice Neubarth at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Plato, Minnesota. The couple was blessed with four children: Wayne, Tammy, Jason, and Jeremy. They made their family home in Lester Prairie, Minnesota. Merlin and Janice shared over 59 years of marriage.

Merlin was the owner/operator of Mathew’s Lawn Service for over 20 years. Years prior, he was employed at MN Rubber in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and Mathew’s Drainage in Glencoe with his brothers, Bob and Ken. Merlin was an active member at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie and served as an usher there for many years. Merlin served on the Lester Prairie Fire Department for 20 years. He was also a member of the Lester Prairie City Council for 12 years and a member of the Jaycees.

Merlin enjoyed the time spent outdoors, whether he was camping, riding motorcycle, hunting, fishing, or mowing the lawn. He enjoyed getting together with the morning coffee group at Big Don’s in Lester Prairie to catch up, even though he didn’t drink coffee. He also enjoyed playing cards. Merlin looked forward to babysitting his grandchildren and grand dogs and cherished the time he spent with his family and his friends.

Merlin passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at GlenFields Living with Care in Glencoe, at the age of 83 years, 3 months, and 8 days. Blessed be his memory.

Merlin is survived by his
Wife, Janice Mathews of Lester Prairie, MN;
Children, Wayne Mathews (Tanya) of Glencoe, MN,
                Tammy Savina (Craig) of Shakopee, MN,
                Jason Mathews (Michelle) of Gaylord, MN,
                Jeremy Mathews of Mankato, MN;
Grandchildren, Mitchell Mathews, Morgan Harens (Colton), Allison Savina, Andrea Savina;
Great-Grandchild, Gabriel Harens;
Siblings, Robert “Bob” Mathews (Joyce) of Glencoe, MN, Ken Mathews of Silver Lake, MN, Gene Mathews (Sandy) of Glencoe, MN, Roger Mathews of Glencoe, MN, Randy Mathews (Carol) of Glencoe, MN, Charles Mathews (Maria) of Lester Prairie, MN, Bill Mathews (Karen) of Hutchinson, MN;
Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Judy Haag of Norwood Young America, MN, Richard Neubarth (Edna) of Norwood Young America, MN, Phyllis Neubarth of Norwood Young America, MN, Jeanette Smith (Tom) of Norwood Young America, MN, Ronnie Neubarth (Sue) of Cologne, MN, Joyce Oltmann (Brad) of Sauk Centre, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, Other Relatives, and Friends.

Merlin was preceded in death by his father and mother, Orville and Gloria Mathews; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arnold and Helen Neubarth; brother, Len Mathews (Darlene); brothers-in-law, Mike Haag, and Roger Neubarth.