Arthur (Art) Kenneth Mathas, age 79 of Hobart, beloved husband, father, brother, cousin, friend, and of course Poppa passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023, after a full blessed life.  He was born on August 29, 1944, in Gary, IN to the late Kenneth Arthur Mathas and Frances Sobczak Mathas (Pawlik).   Art married Gail Mathas (Cooper) on December 12, 1969, and they enjoyed 54 years of marriage together, raising their twins, Ken and Jen Mathas, and of course their beloved pet dog Brandy.  Art graduated high school from Calumet High School in Gary, IN on May 29, 1962, and then went on to proudly serve his country in the Navy from October 12, 1964 – August 27, 1968.  Art spent his entire life fixing, building, and maintaining things, beginning with his time spent in the Navy working on fighter jets and moving on to his career and his hobbies.  After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in Electrical Engineering in 1982, he began his career working for Bud Company where he met Gail, and he continued his career working as Maintenance Manager for Wyman-Gordon (Krupp Gerlach) in Harvey, IL and Danville, IL.  When he wasn't fixing forging presses, he was remodeling every single one of his homes with the help of Gail.  This was his true love as he loved tinkering with things.  When he wasn't doing that, he was bowling, golfing, camping, and of course gambling at the casinos.  He spent his retirement traveling the U.S. with Gail in their fifth-wheel RV, finally settling in Mesa, AZ as their permanent destination to spend the winters in.  Poppa, as he was called by the grandkids, mostly loved spending time with his grandkids and giving them peanuts (if you know you know).  He was so proud of all of his grandkids.

Art is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Gail Mathas; children (twins) Jennifer Marie (Kevin) Reichard, Kenneth Arthur (Patti) Mathas; grandchildren, Halle Reichard, Jake Reichard, Cole Reichard, Kaitlyn Mathas, Kyle Mathas; sister, Carol Paska; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Frances Mathas.

Memorial contributions in Art's name may be made to the Riley Children's Foundation, PO Box 3356, Indianapolis, IN 46206-3356.

A funeral for Art will take place Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart, IN.  Visitation will be held Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.  For more information, please call (219) 942-2109.  Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com