Dale E. Mathews, 88, of Van Wert, died at 10:18 p.m., Sunday at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born January 10, 1925, in Union Township, the son of the late Charles Ernest Mathews and Helen (Taylor) Mathews Watson. He was married to Louisa Ruth (Green) Mathews Geething who died July 10, 1991 and Barbara J. (Miller) Mathews who died on April 27, 2002. Family survivors include a son, John F. (Janis) Mathews of Van Wert; a daughter, Jean Henderlong of Seward, Alaska; a step-daughter, Patty Bowers of Van Wert; two step sons, Bill (Denise) Bowers of Aberdeen, Maryland and Donald (Tina) Bowers of St. Marys; sixteen grandchildren; thirty great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by two children, Chuck Mathews and Ruth Ann Rhoades; one grandchild; and a brother, Clyde Mathews. Dale had been a farmer and drove truck for many years. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 2, 2013, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home with Pastor Dennis Gilbert officiating. Burial will follow at Van Wert Woodland Cemetery. Calling hours are 2 - 7 p.m., Friday. Preferred memorials are to the Community Health Professionals and Hospice.