Gene Arlin Mathias, 89, of Granite City, IL, passed away at 7:50 a.m. Fri. Sept. 13, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born Mar. 12, 1935 in Marion, IN to the late John Mathias and Lillian (Clelland) Mathias Owens.

On Sept. 16, 1989, he and Carol Lee Moore were married in Granite City.  She survives.

Gene was a U.S. Navy veteran serving from 1953 to 1959.  He then worked for and retired from Bi-State Development after serving more than 27 years in the maintenance department.  He also was a groundskeeper at the Landing in St. Louis.  Gene loved old time country and bluegrass music and played the guitar.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by 3 daughters: Judy Mathias Gibbs of Granite City, Shirley Mathias of Gladewater, TX and Linda Kerr of Bunker Hill, IL; 12 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; a brother: Alfred Mathias of Marion, IN; and 2 sisters: Dixie (Russell) Hutchinson and Susie Donaldson, also of IN.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 sons: Robert "Bobby Gene" Mathias and Thomas Clements; a brother: Allen Mathias; and a sister: Shirley Myers.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tues. Sept. 17, 2024 at Wojstrom Funeral Home & Crematory where services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wed. Sept. 18, 2024.  Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery on Maryville Road.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online information and guestbook through Wojstrom Funeral Home may be found at www.wojstrom.com.