Alvin "Al" Lee Mathes, 91 years, formerly of Monroe, MI passed away Saturday, January 8, 2011 at Pathstone Living in Mankato, MN. Alvin moved to Mankato in 2005.
Alvin was born April 20, 1919 in Monroe, MI the son of the late Richard C. and Hattie M. (Welch) Mathes. Alvin attended Monroe Public Schools.
Alvin worked at Consolidated Paper Company South Side from 1934 until he retired when the plant closed in 1978, except for a few years during WWII when he worked at the Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti.
On July 12, 1935 in Dundee, MI Alvin married his beloved wife the former Margaret E. Stepp. Sadly, she preceded him in death on September 11, 1992 after 57 years of marriage.
Alvin was a member of the Monroe Alliance Church. A 32nd Degree Mason, Alvin was a member of the Masonic Lodge #27 F&AM in Monroe, The Blue Lodge in Detroit and The Scottish Rite.
Alvin enjoyed coaching his son's sport teams, woodworking, fishing, watching sports on television and spending time with his grand and great grandchildren.
Alvin is survived by 2 children; Alvin R. "Bob" (Barbara) Mathes of Mankato, MN and Carolyn (Alan) McAninch of Monroe, MI, 6 grandsons; James (Sara) McAninch of Dodgeville, WI, Jonathan Mathes of Golden Valley, MN, Jeremy and Justin Mathes of Mankato, MN, and Joel and Jared Mathes of Anchorage, AK, great grandchildren Ashley,  RJ, and Owen Mathes of Mankato, MN, Austin Mathes of Pasadena, CA, Micheyla, Alia and Ayden Mathes of Anchorage, AK.
In addition to his beloved wife Margaret and his parents Alvin was preceded in death by brothers; Richard Mathes and William Hunt and a grandson Al Mathes Jr.
Visitation will be held on Friday from 4-8 PM in the Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., in Monroe, where the Masonic Lodge #27 F&AM will hold a Masonic Service at 7:00 PM. Funeral services celebrating Alvin's life will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM also at the funeral home. The Rev. Jim D. Walker will officiate. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle, MI.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hearbeat of Monroe or the charity of the donor's choice.