Leo Francis Matthews O'Neill, Nebraska Obituary

Leo Francis Matthews

Funeral Services for Fritz Matthews, age 93, of Omaha and formerly of O’Neill will be 1:00 pm Tuesday, January, 19, 2021 at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill with Fr. James Kramper officiating. Burial will be in the O’Neill Cemetery with military rites provided by the O’Neill American Legion Simonson Post 93. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Monday, January 18, 2021 at Biglin’s Mortuary with a Parish Rosary at 7 pm. Fritz passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at River City Rehab in Omaha. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Biglin’s Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. <br><br>Leo Francis Matthews was born on June 27, 1927 in O’Neill, Nebraska to Leo and Alice (Minton) Matthews. He graduated from O’Neill High School in 1945. <br><br>Fritz was drafted into the U.S. Army on December 6, 1950 and honorably served. After being discharged on November 28, 1952, he returned to O’Neill. He worked for Safeway Grocery stores as a meat cutter, Manager of the meat department, Assistant Store Manager, and finally as a Store Manager. He also owned a small business, Fran Mat Inc., then was an Omaha World Herald Newspaper distributor for Offutt Air Force Base, Bellevue, and a small portion of South Omaha. He later purchased 4 gas stations, he had a lawn service with snow plowing, and many other things like furniture delivery for the Mrs. B’s Furniture store. Before he retired, he had 8 different routes for the Omaha World Herald, 6 of them in Iowa and 2 in Nebraska. <br><br>He loved Nebraska Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball, and watching the CWS. He enjoyed square dancing once he retired and moved back to O’Neill. Within a week, he was working at the car wash and Sidak Feed Store in O’Neill. In 2017 he moved to the Meadows in Norfolk. In December of 2020, he suffered a stroke and was taken to Omaha by helicopter.<br><br>He was a Life Member of the VFW, the VFW Post 10727 Commander in Bellevue and a member of the Honor Guard. <br><br>Fritz is survived by four children; Henry E. Matthews Sr., Onie Matthews, Donna (Mark) Duda, and Tom Matthews, all of Omaha; four grandchildren, Samantha Ann Matthews, Henry E. Matthews Jr., Jess Duda, and Gage Duda; one sister-in-law, Gladys Matthews of O’Neill; and many nieces and nephews. <br><br>Preceded in death by his parents; three grandchildren, Sarah Marie Matthews, Kyle Edward Matthews, and Sheila Matthews; three brothers, Johnny (Dorothy) Matthews, Jean (Rosella) Matthews, and Pete Matthews; and two sisters, Katie Matthews and Cecelia (Jerry Lee) Campbell.<br><br>Fritz passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at River City Rehab in Omaha at the age of 93 years, 6 months, and 16 days. <br><br><iframe class="ts_player" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameborder="0" height="312" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/YHY76KF84J7MGMFL" width="480"></iframe>
June 27, 1927 - January 12, 202106/27/192701/12/2021
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Funeral Home Owner
January 18, 2021
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Wayne and Linda Green
January 14, 2021
We are sorry to hear about Francis. We got to know him in square dancing. He was quite the guy and accomplished so much in his lifetime. We are sorry for your loss. Wayne and Linda Green from Chambers, NE.