Services for Larry L. Mathews, 86, of Lecompton, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Lecompton United Methodist Church. Burial will take place immediately following in Maple Grove Cemetery. Mr. Mathews died Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Brookdale Care Center of Topeka, Kansas.
Larry was born November 2, 1938, in Manhattan, Kansas, the son of Cornelius (C.C.) and Mary Hayes Mathews. He graduated from Lecompton High School in 1956 and remained in Lecompton where he continued to work on the family farm. Larry attended Emporia State University for one year prior to joining the United States Army in 1961 where he was deployed to Frankfurt, Germany.
After an honorable discharge from the Army, Larry soon secured a position as a salesman for Townley Hardware Company in Kansas City, Missouri. Working for Townley provided him the skills to take over Mathews Hardware, Perry, Kansas which was opened by his parents in 1955. Mathews Hardware served the community from approximately 1955 until the business was closed in 1990.
Larry began his second career as an over-the-road truck driver for various companies and eventually as an independent driver. Later he also operated a pilot car service.
He had a passion for antique steam engines and tractors, purchasing and having them refurbished where he took them to tractor and threshing events.
Larry is survived by his children Beth Mathews (Perry), Chris Nichols (Lecompton), and Jeff Mathews (Mayetta), as well as four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Stewart (Hartford, Connecticut) and former wife, Rhonda (Zieammerman) Miller (Basehor).
Larry was pre-deceased by his parents C.C. and Mary Mathews, his wife Sharon Cole, his wife Brenda Harrelson, his son John Mathews, and brother George Mathews.
Visitation will take place from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indianna Street, Lawrence, Kansas, 66044. Funeral services will take place the following day, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Lecompton United Methodist Church, 402 Elmore Street, Lecompton, Kansas 66050. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Lecompton.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Meriden Antique Engine and Threshers or the Lecompton Historical Society sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral home, PO Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Matthew families May God be with your families bringing you peace; remembering the joyful times rather than solely the sorrow. Our loved one lives in the hears, and their legacy continues through their children and grandchildren.