John Edward Mathis

April 28th 1948-July 28th 2026

John Edward Mathis, 78, of Jacksonville, AR, laid down his Earthly struggles with rheumatoid arthritis on Tuesday, July 28th, 2026. A skilled carpenter/contractor/farmer and collector of “auction treasures”, John built houses and cultivated fields of corn/soybeans and hay.  He served 6 years in the National Guard out of high school.  His greatest joy was being on his farm, a dream he had had since boyhood.  He shared this dream with Gloria Mathis-Cooper of Manly, IA, his beloved wife of 54 years.  He shared his desire to be his own boss, his work ethic, and his stubbornness with their only daughter, Penny Mathis of Sherwood, AR. He is survived by his wife Gloria, their cat Puck, his daughter Penny, her significant other Billy Reeder, and his two grand cats Faith and GeorGie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Edward Mathis and Lula Viola Mathis-Abbott, both of Gravel Ridge, AR; his half-sister Lucille McGill of Gravel Ridge, AR, and a half-brother, Cecil Mathis of Dallas, TX.

His legacy lives on in the land he loved, his wife, his daughter, and many others who knew him.

Funeral Services and visitation will be held at A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, AR.  Visitation is Tuesday, August 4th from 6-8 pm, and funeral services at 10 am on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to honor John’s dream of farming and building by planting a tree or a rose bush or helping someone build something with their hands. This, we believe, would be the best tribute to his love of the land and building.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com