Howard Matthews, 35, of Traverse City, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Matthews of Kalkaska, passed away in Munson hospital, Traverse City Sat following an accident on Fri in which he was critically injured. Mr. Matthews collided with a southbound Chesapeake & Ohio passenger train three miles south of Traverse City, while driving a gravel truck west on a private road south of the main highway. Reports state that he evidently failed to see the approaching train.
He was taken to Munson Hospital where it was learned he suffered a skull fracture, broken collar bone and rib fractures that punctured his lungs.
Mr. Matthews was born August 9, 1912, at Boyne City. On Jul 30, 1937 he was married to Geneva Allen of Orange Twp. To this union one son, Darwin Gale, was born. On Jun 30, 1944, he was married to Norma May Johnston of Grayling and to them two children were born, Nancy Lee and Linda Lou. Besides his wife and three children, he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Matthews, of Kalkaska; four brothers, Cleophus of Lansing, Clyde of Kalkaska, Clarence of Ypsilanti, Clifford of East Lansing; three sisters, Mrs. Stella Sieting of Kalkaska, Mrs. Vanderhoelf of Marion, and Mrs. Paul Rieve of Williamston. Besides a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Mon from the Berg Funeral Home in Kalkaska, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery.
- The Leader and the Kalkaskian: 22 Jul 1948
