Daryl A. “Butch” Matthews, 66, of Niles, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles, following an extended illness.

Butch was born Sept. 17, 1943 in Niles to the late Lawrence and Bonnie (Adams) Matthews.

After graduating high school, Butch enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country proudly in the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge. After his return from the war, Butch went to work for Modineer for several years and then to National Standard as a machinist and remained there as a faithful employee for more than 36 years.

On Nov. 22, 1969 Butch married Susan Gromski at a ceremony in Niles. Together the couple enjoyed many hobbies, including traveling and hiking in the Smokey Mountains and attending classic car shows. Butch was well known for his 1955 Chevy he rebuilt, and won many awards and trophies. An avid outdoorsman, he spent many hours fishing and hunting and built his own muzzleloader. Butch was a member of the Edwardsburg Conservation Club for many years. He also enjoyed his quiet times reading non-fiction outdoor adventure books.

Butch is preceded in death by his parents and stepparents, Bonnie (Robert) Brady and Lawrence (Judy) Matthews; his daughter, Jennifer Matthews; a stepsister, Berneth Dokey; and a stepbrother, Alvin Matthews.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susan Matthews, of Niles; two sisters, Linda (Roland) Fahlsing,of Angola, Ind., and Ruth (Jake) Nieuwland of Salt Lake City, Utah; two stepsisters, Sharon Matthews, of Niles, and Carmen (James) Smith, of Tennessee; a stepbrother, George Matthews, of Tennessee; and a half-sister, Cindy (Phillip) Seitenstich, of Dowagiac.

A time of visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Niles. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the funeral Home. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or Lakeland Hospice 2550 Meadowbrook Rd. Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.