Eldon E. Mathis, 90, of Springfield passed away at home on DEC 1, 2011 surrounded by his wife and daughters. Eldon "Bud" Mathis, son of Ray L. and Etta O. (Lockhart) Mathis, was born December 21, 1920 in Diamond, MO. Mr. Mathis served in the United States Air Force as a B-25 pilot during World War II. On MAY 25, 1946 he married, Edna Mae "Penny" McClain in Clayton, IL. The couple had two daughters and lived predominately in Sarcoxie and Springfield, MO - but moved wherever Shell Pipeline took them until APR 1984 when after 38 years of service, Mr. Mathis retired. Eldon was baptized into the Diamond Christian Church in 1935 and has been a member of several churches in Missouri and Oklahoma. He is presently a member of Brentwood Christian Church. Mr. Mathis was preceded in death by his parents, Ray & Etta Mathis; his sister Evelyn; four brother-in-laws; and two sister-in-laws. He is survived by his wife Edna Mae; daughter Linda Thumm (Chris) and granddaughter Carin Thumm of St. Louis, MO; daughter Susan Mathis of St. Paul, MN; and nephews Gene Winget and Gary Winget(Cheryl). Visitation will be held Monday, December 5, 2011 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Graveside service will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 11 a.m. in Missouri Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ozark Food Harvest or Salvation Army of Springfield, MO.