Guy Matthews

Guy Lee Matthews, age 70, of Orleans, formerly of Greenville, passed away Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Corewell Health Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Grand Rapids after a courageous battle with cancer. The son of Roy Arthur & Clara Barbara (King) Matthews, he was born on December 27, 1953 in Greenville. A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Guy enlisted after graduating from Greenville Senior High School and served during the Vietnam War era. During his nearly 20 years of honorable service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, a Certificate of Appreciation, two Letters of Appreciation, and was a five-time recipient of the Good Conduct Medal. Guy was a member of the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 in Greenville, enjoyed shooting league pool and billiards with both B.C.A. and A.P.A. He also enjoyed hunting, playing cards, shooting marbles, and golfing and delighted in trips to Dairy Queen and driving fast. On December 1, 2000, he married Fredia S. (Munson) Middling and they enjoyed 18 years of marriage until Frieda passed away on May 2, 2019. Together they worked as over-the-road truck drivers having completed over a million miles together and in the winter months would work as security guards at the oil rigs in Texas. He was preceded in death by a son, James Lee Matthews; his wife, Fredia Matthews; his father, Roy Matthews; his mother, Clara B. “Peg” Wheeler; his step-father, Vern Wheeler; a brother, Paul Matthews; and two sisters-in-law, Wanita Matthews and Sandy Matthews. Surviving are his are two brothers, Alvin Matthews of Crystal, and Steve & Sue Matthews of Greenville; a daughter-in-law, Meg Matthews of Hudsonville; two grandchildren, Connor Matthews and Haley Matthews; two step-sisters, Fonda & Larry Jones of Turk Lake, and Jillene Wheeler of Grand Rapids; two step-sons, Kenneth & Kendra Middling, and David & Rasheeda Middling; eight step-grandchildren; and many dearly loved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday at Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, with a military tribute at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Honors will be jointly rendered the U.S. Marines Corps and the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101. Instead of flowers, Guy would have appreciated contributions in his memory to either the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 or to the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion at Corewell Health. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Guy’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Guy Matthews, please visit our flower store.