Rochelle

James "Paul" Mathis, 81, passed away Thursday, June 1, 2023 at the Rochelle Community Hospital in Rochelle.  Paul was born on December 10, 1941 to Troy and Mellie (Montgomery) Mathis in Bay Springs, Mississippi.  He proudly served with the United States Army.  On June 1, 1990, he married Merry Smith Hensen in Rochelle. He worked for Shehan Pipeline and for A.O. Smith prior to retiring.

Paul attended New Hope Fellowship Church in Rochelle and was a member of the Horicon Masonic Lodge #244, the Knights Templar, the Tebala Shrine and Order of the Eastern Star.  He volunteered at the Rochelle Food Bank, the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry and at the Kitchen Table.  Paul enjoyed playing solitaire on his computer and gardening. He loved the time he spent with his family.

Paul is survived by his wife, Merry of Rochelle; daughter, Machelle Mathis of Rochelle; granddaughter, Katrina (Cory Shepherd) Hager; two step children: Anne Hensen of Machesney Park, IL and Russell (Lisa) Hensen of Rochelle; brother, Don (Deanna) Mathis of Cookville, TN and sister, Rachael (Joe) Stringer of Stringer, MS.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by brothers: Fred, Charlie (Rosemary) and Phil Mathis and sister, Cubia (Joe) Kilpatrick.

The visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M., Monday, June 5, 2023 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle with a Masonic service at 7:00 P.M.  The funeral will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, June 6 at the funeral home with Pastors Dan Sergeant and Nick Tornabene officiating.  Cremation care will follow the services.  Memorials may be made in Paul's memory to the Rochelle Masonic Temple Association/Building Fund, 500 N. Lincoln Hwy., Rochelle.  Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.