Ralph Mathews

Ralph C. Mathews, 84, of Topeka, died Jan. 15, 2010 at his home. He was born July 30, 1925 in Topeka, the son of Dewey and Lucile Mathews. He served in the US Army Air Corp in the European Theatre in WWII. He married Dorothy Quiggle in Leroy, KS on Sept. 14, 1947, she survives. Ralph operated Mathews Electric with his father. He subsequently was a building inspector, city electrical inspector, and chief building inspector in Topeka. He later was Director of Operations and Maintenance for USD 501. He retired in 1988. He is survived by his wife Dorothy; sister Helen Justice, her daughter Sherri; sons Mark and his wife Stephanie of Sydney, Aus., Robert and his wife Linda, and 3 grandchildren. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wed., Jan. 20, 2010 at Highland Heights Christian Church, 2930 SE Tecumseh Rd, Topeka. Interment in Rochester Cemetery. Ralph will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. Tues. at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.