Earl O. Mathesius, 93, of Mendota died March 8, 2018 in Heritage Health, Mendota.

Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday in Restland Cemetery, Mendota with Rev. Kent Svendsen officiating. There will be no visitation. The Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is handling the arrangements.

Earl was born September 5, 1924 in Meriden to Peter and Laura (Lamps) Mathesius.

He attended Meriden and Mendota schools and graduated in 1942 from Mendota High School. After graduating he farmed in Meriden and Troy Grove Townships.

He served a brief time on the Meriden Elevator Board before retiring and moving to town.

Earl was a life long member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota, where he participated in various volunteer works and assisted with deliveries for the elderly and shut-ins for 38 years. He also helped with the Food Share Program. He helped to sponsor over 50 children around the world and mentored delinquent teens over the years.

Some of his favorite past times were traveling worldwide with  his brother, reading a vast assortment of material, collecting model tractors, cars and airplanes.

He helped to establish The Breaking the Prairie Museum with his brother Melvin.

Earl is survived by four nieces and nephews; Peg Mathesius-Cerveny of Mendota, Jim Mathesius ofEarlville, Marlys Mathesius Scarbrough of Mahomet and Merlin Mathesius of Aurora; 7 great nieces and nephews and 8 great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his parents, a brother Melvin and sister Norma Buettner.

Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church, Heritage Health, or Mendota Historical Society.