Cecil R. Mathewson

Cecil Royal Mathewson, age 84, of Belding, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, when he passed away at Spectrum Health-Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. He was born in Mio, Michigan, on February 22, 1938, son of Royal Cecil and Edith Elizabeth (Saubert) Mathewson, both of whom preceded him in death. Cecil graduated from Belding School in 1956. He married LaVerna Christiansen on August 16, 1958, and shared 61 years of marriage with her prior to her death in 2019. Cecil worked for many years at Federal Mogul in Greenville retiring in May of 1999. He kept busy during his spare time and throughout his retirement in his workshop where he could build or rebuild pretty much anything made of wood. He was known for his craftmanship and creativity. Cecil also enjoyed countless camping trips with his wife and family over the years. He served as a Sunday School teacher, janitor, and greeter at First Church of God in Belding for over 30 years and more recently was a faithful member of Faith United Church of God in Grand Rapids for nearly 25 years.

Cecil leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Janet (Timothy) Heffron, Howard (Valerie) Mathewson, Norman (Tina) Mathewson all of Belding and Dawn (Chad) Hengesbach of Westphalia; grandchildren James (Jassica), Brendan, Maura (Kenny), Ashlyn, Lauren (Chris Campbell), Johanna, Christian (Aylizza), Mikayla, Kyle, Maria, Tyler, Kierian, Brooklyn, Autumn, Addison and Landon; 16 great grandchildren; siblings, Virgil Mathewson, Virginia (Bob) Smalley, Marjorie Stockton, Dorothy Mrozovick, and Leo Mathewson; brother- and sisters-in-law Monica Mathewson, Arthur Annis, Richard (Jackie) Christiansen, Clarence (MaryLou) Christiansen and Twyla Christiansen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Rex & Marsha Mathewson, Lyle Mathewson, Ski Mrozovick, James Stockton and Roger Christiansen.

Visitation will take place on Monday evening, March 14, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Verdun Family Funeral Home, 303 S. Bridge Street, Belding. Visitation will resume on Tuesday, March 15 at 10:00 a.m. and the Funeral will begin at 11:00 am. at the Funeral Home with Pastor Emily Clark officiating. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memory Gardens. Those planning an expression of sympathy are welcome to consider a memorial contribution in Cecil’s memory to Faith United Church of God. Envelopes will be available at the service or by contacting Verdun Family Funeral Home in Belding, who is caring for the arrangements at (616) 794-1300 or www.verdunfh.com.