Melvin Price “Pete” Matthews, 101, of Oak Grove, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 8th at First Baptist Church of Oak Grove; burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church.
Pete was born June 10, 1921, at home in Chilhowee, MO, the son of Gus and Mary (Agee) Matthews. He was #4 of 5 children, with three older sisters, Maude, Della May, and Opal, and younger sister, Juanita. All have preceded him in death. Pete attended school in Chilhowee, graduating in 1939. He enlisted in the Army on September 1, 1942, and went through basic training at Camp Robertson, AR. Soon after the completion of basic training, he was sent to New York and then overseas. Pete served as a Medic in WWII. He was sent to Italy, Corsica, Africa, and Sardinia. He was discharged from the Army October 22, 1945.
Upon his return home, Pete opened a filling station with his brother-in-law in Leeton, MO. It was there that he met his wife, Evelyn Emorie Shaeffer. They were married in Ottawa, KS, on January 18, 1947, and settled in Chilhowee where Pete went to work for Heat Gas Company. He and Emorie had 2 children, Connie Kay (Matthews) Jones and Denny Ray Matthews, and raised them in Chilhowee. Pete joined the Masonic Lodge and both he and Emorie joined the Order of the Eastern Star. In time, Emorie progressed through Eastern Star becoming the Worthy Grand Matron for the state of Missouri in 1983. Together, they traveled to different events and chapters all over the state as well as other states.
Pete became the Mayor of Chilhowee and was noted for bringing the first telephone service to the town. He eventually left Heat Gas Company and worked at a few various other places, including Stahls in Kingsville, MO (at the time). Pete then went to work for MFA Oil Company and has often said it was the best job he ever had. He said he enjoyed working for the company. His hard work was rewarded with company-paid trips to Hawaii and Canada, among other places.
Connie and Denny both moved to Independence and married their spouses and raised their own families. Connie married Larry E. Jones of Blairstown, MO. They had 1 daughter, Samantha. Denny married Peggy Ann Merritt of Council Grove, KS. Together they raised 3 children, Thomas, Amy, and Misty.
As they grew older, Pete and Emorie decided to move closer to their children, so Pete retired from MFA Oil and they moved to Oak Grove in 1985. They settled into the community quickly and joined First Baptist Church of Oak Grove. They belonged to the Goldenheirs Senior Sunday School Class. They became involved in their church activities with The Elderberries and traveled many places with the group.
Pete enjoyed watching Oak Grove High School sports. He loved to go watch the basketball and football games. Pete began working again after moving to Oak Grove. He went to work for Dent Construction, pouring concrete. He then worked at the local feed store, but eventually went to work for the local grocery store, Corn’s Apple Market. There were many stories about Pete’s antics while working at Corn’s. His most notable was a comment made about where you could pick a broom and he would sweep the floor while he was running from place to place.
Pete always had a funny saying or story for everything. He was rarely ever without words to make you laugh.
Pete and Emorie celebrated 70 wedding anniversaries before she was called Home.
Pete was preceded in death by his wife, Emorie. Their son, Denny. His parents, his 4 sisters, 4 nieces and 2 nephews. His grandson-in-law, Steve White.
Pete’s survivors include their daughter, Connie Jones of Blue Springs. Daughter-in-law, Peggy Matthews of Oak Grove. Grandchildren, Samantha (Brian) Herr of Oak Grove and Misty White of Independence, Thomas (Mona) Hancox of Oklahoma, Amy (Paul) Prescott of Oak Grove. Great grandchildren, Madison Emerich (Roy) of Liberty, Dalton White of Independence and Alyssa White of Independence and multiple great great grandchildren.
Obituary submitted by family.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441
Robert Ficke
8 Aug 2022So sorry to hear the news about Pete. He will always be in my childhood memories along with Emorie and Denny. Connie and family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Bob Ficke and family
Teri McLallen
8 Aug 2022We met Pete and Emorie in the early 80’s when they moved across the street from us here in Oak Grove. They were good friends, always helpful, and great role models. Pete would come over and walk my three year old daughter down to the “peanut” tree as she called it. (actually a pecan tree) She would ask him if his mom (Emorie) said he could go down there. 😁 Pete always remembered her and the walks to the peanut tree.
He helped us move several years later but we always kept in touch and talked to him when he worked at Corn’s Thriftway. Such a wonderful person and will be greatly missed! We will never forget him.