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Lonnie, son of Mary Rose Wilbanks Mathews and Leon Lunce Mathews, was born on March 2, 1949. He was born in the old hospital in Hinton, Oklahoma and delivered by Dr. Paul Lonnie Bowers. Lonnie grew up in Bridgeport, Oklahoma alongside his ten brothers and sisters: Froney (Forney), Mary Ellen Smith (Sissy), Geneva (Blacky), Shirley, Lena, Jimmy, Linda, Sue, John, and his favorite Nancy Mathews Reynolds (Nancy Doodle). Lonnie was only 5 years old, and his sister Nancy was 3 months old, when they lost their mother, Mary Rose. Lonnie attended school in Hinton and was a proud 1967 graduate of Hinton High School, but always considered Bridgeport his true home.
On February 20, 1973, Lonnie married the love of his life Linda Peters. They shared a bond and understanding of each other perfectly. They had four children Amie, Ty, Jill, and Lonnie II. Lonnie was a farmer and a wonderful storyteller. He often shared tales of his childhood adventures with his Dad. One story in particular, about a yellow handled pocket knife, became a favorite among his grandchildren. Lonnie could build or repair anything, he built a treehouse for his grandchildren, a beautiful deck for Amie’s wedding, and was the Best Man in Ty and Kandi’s wedding. A testament to his love for his family and his dedication to creating cherished memories.
Lonnie worked at Tindel’s Sand and Gravel and Rock Island Railroad before farming with his father in law, Beege. Farming was always in his heart, even though his best friends were the guys he worked with in the oil field. He retired from the oil field as a production foreman after 35 years. Lonnie had a deep love for horses and enjoyed training them with his son, Ty.
Lonnie and Linda lived in Geary for fifty years where they raised their family and retired. In
2024 they moved to Blanchard to be closer to their daughter Amie. Amie was a cherished part of Lonnie’s life and always looked out for him. They had a special bond and seemed to always know what the other one was thinking. Amie was Lonnie’s angel.
Lonnie was a favorite among many. He passed away leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. Lonnie is survived by his wife, Linda Mathews of the home; children, Amie Madron and Rick of Blanchard Oklahoma, Ty Vowell and Kandi of Geary Oklahoma, and Jill Ray of Calumet, Oklahoma; his grandchildren Bryce, Kashen, Kobe, and Brynn of Blanchard Oklahoma; Logan Vowell and wife Kirsten of Porter, Oklahoma, and Kyler Vowell of Geary,
Oklahoma, Derek and Heather Thompson, Evan, Ethan, James, and Jackson Mathews, and Breanna Ray of Calumet, OK; his great-grand children Gracelynn and Jaxtyn Vowell of Porter, Oklahoma.
Lonnie is preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Mary Rose Mathews, father and mother-in-law, Benny Joe and Barbara Peters; nephew Mark Kitson; son Lonnie Paul Mathews II; brothers Forney and Jimmy; sisters Mary Ellen, Geneva, Lena, and Shirley.
The family would like to thank Russell Murray Hospice for all their care of Lonnie.
Memorial Donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Research, www.alz.org/oklahoma , 225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Cherokee Restaurant, March 8, 2025, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Geary, OK
Services are under the direction of Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, OK.
Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net or you can find us on Facebook (Turner Funeral Homes).
