Ronald Eugene Mathews, 77, of Rhinelander died Monday, June 3, 2013, at his home. He was born Nov. 26, 1935, to Harold and Dorothy (Jessup) Mathews in Austin, Minn. He is survived by his wife, Dixie; two sons, Monte (April) of Clinton, Ill., and Marty (Kelly) of Rhinelander; siblings Darlene Meineke of Allen, Texas, Beverly (Donald) Temte of Bloomington, Minn., William (Pat) of Rockford, Ill., David (Pat) of Lake City, Minn., Keith Mathews of Wakefield, Mich., and Greg of Ventura, Calif.; and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service, and he and his wife moved to Rhinelander in 1974 where he joined the Nicolet National Forest as a staff person in the supervisor office, retiring in 1990. His great love was for his sons and their families; they refurbished old cars and attended the Iola Car shows driving their vehicles. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 7, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Rebecca Niese officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, June 6, at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m. and Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. (Hildebrand-Russ Funeral Home)