Charles R Matthews

Charles Robert Matthews was born in Des Moines, Iowa, July 5, 1957, the son of Robert and Nellie Matthews. He died at his home in Denison, Iowa, Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at the age of fifty-eight.
Charles grew up in Des Moines and received his education in the Des Moines Community Schools. He graduated from East High School with the class of 1975. While still living in Des Moines, he enjoyed coaching grade school wrestling at the Dowling Elementary School and Little League baseball. He as a professional landscaper with Vista Landscaping and was known for building attractive ponds with waterfalls. He also had a lawn care business. In 1997, he began working for the Union Pacific Railroad, continuing his employment there until 2011.
He was united in marriage to Jill Knight on February 3, 2004. The couple was blessed with two children. He enjoyed watching football and wrestling, fishing in local ponds, Cribbage, Western films and spent many hours building model cars. He enjoyed watching NASCAR races and admired the driving skills of Dale Earnhardt Sr. His family life consisted of his wife and children, going to their sporting events and planning weekend events. He could often be found at the sale barn on Saturdays.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Jill; one daughter, Melanie and her husband, Jesse; one son, Nickolas and his friend Merissa; one step-son, Jake; and two grandchildren, Aiden and Emma; many other relatives and friends.