Frank Mathern

Frank Mathern, of Lewistown, passed away at St. Vincent Hospital on June 22, 2015. Frank was born to Cecilius and Elizabeth Mathern, the eighth of 10 children, on Nov. 2, 1925, on their farm near Ingomar. He attended a country school near Ingomar and High School in Forsyth, graduating in 1943. He went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad and, after his 18th birthday, joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a radioman in the Pacific Theater until the end of the war. Returning to the railroad, he worked at Three Forks, where he met his future wife, Delores Kunz. They married in Butte on Oct. 16, 1948. Frank moved several times with the railroad, coming to Lewistown in 1968 as a freight agent for the Milwaukee and then the Burlington Northern Railroad. He attended St. Leo's Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and the Moose Lodge. His passion was playing music with his accordions, putting together several small groups who entertained around Central Montana for close to 40 years. He was also very proud of his cars, which he kept in immaculate condition. He is survived by his wife, Delores, of 66 years; his children, Jo Ann (Tom) Kelly, Dave (Kathy) Mathern of Lewistown, Mary Lou (Mick) Jones, Karl (Karen) Mathern and Paul (Kerry) Mathern, both of Denver; his brothers Dan, of Fairfield, and Pius, of Riverton, Wyo.; sister Eva Schantz of Billings; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The vigil service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Reception to follow at KofC Hall, 2216 Grand Ave.