Kevin John Matthews

Age 61, of Edgewater, FL, passed away unexpectedly on April 17th, 2016. Kevin was born to George and Helen Matthews in Westfield, MA and moved to Milwaukee, WI in 1959. He attended St. Agnes grade school and Madison high school where he was involved in sports and music. After high school, Kevin enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Korea where he played his trumpet in the Army band. While in Korea, he adopted a young orphan that spoke to his heart while playing Christmas carols at the orphanage. He returned home to Milwaukee to raise his family that was made complete with three more children. Kevin had a career path that went from restaurants to musical gigs to sales at A and A Manufacturing, the company from where he retired. When he retired, he moved to Edgewater, FL to care for his aging parents.

Kevin is survived by his four children. Susan (Paul Szemraj) Matthews of Germantown, WI; Nicole (Rob) Martuszewski of Titusville, FL; James (Michele) Matthews of Milwaukee, WI; and Erin (Ben) Swanson of Solon Springs, WI. He is also survived by his six granddaughters, Abigail, Allison, Maddelyn, Shyla, Audrey and Cassidy, who he adored beyond words. He is also survived by his older brother Greg (Carol) Matthews; his older sister Donna (Mark) Zaltman, his nephews Shawn and Patrick and nieces Sarah and Rebecca. Kevin was preceded in death by his mother and father, Helen and George Matthews.

Kevin was a kind, generous and loyal man. He had an infectious laugh that brought a smile to your face when you heard it and became instilled in your memory. He was a talented musician and could be heard playing his trumpet with various bands throughout his early life. He was a huge fan of all sports and many times could be found golfing or watching a game if he wasn't riding his Harley. He loved to cook (a trait that he passed down to all four of his children) and was always experimenting with new recipes. He was a proficient solver of crossword puzzles and had many other interests that kept him busy in his retirement years. He was a lover of life that extended especially to his children and grandchildren. It is a love that we will all deeply miss.

Visitation at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, on Monday, April 25, 2016, 4-6:30PM. Vigil at 6:30PM. Mass of Christian Burial at ST. AGNES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 12801 W. Fairmount Avenue, Butler, WI, on Tuesday, April 26th, 2016 at 10AM. Burial with full Military Honors at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery, 21731 Spring Street (Hwy C & Hwy 45), Union Grove WI at 2PM.

The family requests that memorial donations be made payable to: Susan Matthews.