Roy Noal Mathis

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Roy Noal Mathis of Eldorado died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009. He had been in failing health for some time.

Noal was born on Aug. 28, 1915, in Hamburg to Thomas Eddy Mathis and Mary Melvina (Jones) Mathis. He married Averil D. Miller, daughter of the Rev. I. E. and Mable Miller, on Oct. 26, 1945, in McLeansboro. She preceded him in death on Feb. 19, 2003.

Noal is survived by three daughters; twins, Dean Case of Thompsonville and Jean (Vern) Pollock of Eldorado, and Pam (Ken) Cummins of Plano. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Stephenie Erickson, Maryland Heights, Mo., Dennis (Donna) Cummins, St. Joseph, Darryl Cummins, Fort Payne, Ala., Sharlotte (Joe) Gunn, Robinson, and J.R. (Shelly) Case of Eldorado. A sister-in-law, Claudean Mathis of Louisville also survives. There are 10 great-grandchildren, Darrick Milligan, Rachel Milligan, Jakeb Carter, Darren Cummins, David Cummins, Deanna Cummins, Trenton Case, Dathan Case, Griffin Case and Malia Gunn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Ray, Hiram Audie, Thomas Enos and J.L.; and two sisters, Nadine and Laverne.

Noal lived in Long Branch community and attended Muggin school. The family moved to Eldorado in 1924, where Noal attended Cross Roads school, then Washington School and Eldorado Township High School, graduating in 1934.

He worked at the Eldorado Daily Journal, beginning as paper boy in 1932, working his way into the printing business. He did casting, makeup, job printing, along with many other jobs associated with the old time print shops and newspapers. He retired as printer on Sept. 1, 1979. After retirement, he joined his wife in her endeavors of quilting and thimble meetings, where he was an expected guest and sought-after adviser.

Noal was inducted into the army on Jan. 19, 1942 and discharged on September 18, 1945. He served in the European Theater of Operations (ETO). He was in the 19th Engineers maneuvers during World War II.

He was an 81-year member of First Baptist Church of Eldorado and a deacon for approximately 65 years. He was a member of Southern Illinois, Shawnee Hills group of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in American, based in Harrisburg. He was a member of the Saline County Genealogical Society, Project Bounce and Eldorado Main Street organizations and Friends of the Eldorado Library. He was an avid gardener until his health failed.

Colonial Terrace Funeral Home of Eldorado is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, at the funeral home. The funeral service is 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Eldorado with Bro. Art Foster officiating. Interment is in Lindale Memorial Gardens. For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Eldorado First Baptist Church.