Dr. John Mathers Obituary - Burlington, Ontario | Smith's Funeral Home
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Obituary for Dr. John Edmund Mathers

Dr. John Edmund  Mathers
MATHERS, Dr. John Edmund

Dr. John Mathers, of Knife River, MN, died on Thursday, February 21, 2019. He was born on July 4, 1931 to Stephen and Beatrice (Boyle) Mathers in Exeter, Ontario, Canada and grew up in Southern Ontario. John graduated from Western University Medical School, London, Ontario, interned in Edmonton, Alberta and specialized in OB/GYN at the University of Minnesota. John was employed for several years in Austin, MN then taught in Okinawa, Japan for the University of Hawaii Medical School. In 1971, he moved to Duluth to serve as Assistant Dean and professor at UMD Medical School and continue in his OB/GYN private practice.

From the age of seven, John knew that he wanted to be a physician. He took great joy in delivering babies. For close to 5000 people, he was the first human touch they experienced – just before handing them to their mothers. He loved being part of each new life moment.

John had an active faith in the Lord and was previously active at the Evangelical Free Church in Two Harbors and at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Duluth. He was a member of Rotary and enjoyed service as a facilitator at RYLA Camp. He loved reading, card games, theology, playing hockey (into his 60’s), the family cabin on Rainy Lake, wintering in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico and taking cruises.

John was predeceased in death by his parents and his first wife Marney Wilson (1998), and sister-in-law Vicki Vancas (2018). He is survived by his wife Mary Frances Vancas; children John Derek (Debra) Mathers, Donald Stephen (Heidi) Mathers, Douglas Wilson (Lorri) Mathers, and Marney Ruth (William) Crandall; a brother James Mathers; a sister Ruth Johns; ten grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and brothers-in-law Mike, Ivan and Steve (Jeanine) Vancas.

Celebration of life will be held at The Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington on Thursday, May 23, 2019 from 2-5 p.m.

In memory of John, donations to Doctors Without Borders or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.
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