Gilbert Earl Mathwig, age 85, of Green Isle, passed away at the Good Samaritan Society in Arlington on Monday, Dec. 4.
Funeral service will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Green Isle at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7.
Visitation was held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Green Isle from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6. It will continue one hour prior to the service time at the church on Thursday, Dec. 7.
Interment will be in the Arlington Public Cemetery.
Gilbert Earl Mathwig was born in Green Isle Township  on Jan. 5, 1932.  He was the son of Arthur and Minnie (Sickmann) Mathwig.  Gilbert was baptized on Jan. 31, 1932, by Rev. Carl Reuter and later confirmed in his faith on March 25, 1945, by Rev. Bert Streufert both at Zion Lutheran Church of Green Isle. He received his education at Zion Lutheran Country School.  Gilbert entered military service on Nov. 5, 1952, and served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant on Nov. 4, 1954. On May 26, 1956, Gilbert was united in marriage to Gladys Otto by Rev. Roland Gurgel at Trinity Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine.  Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Cindy.  Gilbert and Gladys shared over 61 years of marriage. Gilbert worked installing power lines in numerous states and also painted water towers and church steeples.  After military service, he first farmed with his Dad. Gilbert and Gladys bought their farm just northwest of Green Isle in 1959.  They worked the land and milked dairy cattle and raised pigs and chickens.  In addition to farming, Gilbert was also employed at Farmhand in Green Isle for extra income.  After retiring from dairy farming, he raised steers and cash cropped. In 2007, Gilbert and Gladys moved to a townhome in Green Isle.   
He was a man of faith who read his Bible daily. He kept active and enjoyed daily walks, current events, reading, getting together with his morning friends for coffee and dice, and playing cards and other games. Gilbert served at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church as an Elder and on the Finance Board.  He was very instrumental in the addition of the ramp and Fellowship Hall building.  
Gilbert is survived by his wife, Gladys of Green Isle; his daughter, Cindy (Neil) Eggersgluess of Plato; brother, Chester of Victoria; sister-in-law, Eileen Mathwig of Arlington; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Wallace and Evonne Otto, Marlys and Elroy Koepp, and Mary and Roger Sons; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.  
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lawrence and Ordwin in early childhood; brother, Ernest and his wife Dorothy, brother, Manley and his wife Elvera, brother, Walter; sister, Elsie; sister-in law, Betty; and brother-in-law, Lowell, and his wife Eileen.
Kolden Funeral Home of Arlington is handling the arrangements.