Penny Mathis

NORTH PEKIN – Penny F. Mathis, 69, of North Pekin, passed away Monday, November 28, 2022, at Timbercreek Rehab and Health Care in Pekin.

She was born on December 17, 1952, in Walnut Ridge, Ark., to Calvin and Balma Rose (Johnson) Stidman. She married David Mathis on August 30, 1996, in Pekin. He preceded her in death on March 30, 2015. Penny was also preceded in death by her grandson, Kenneth Phillips; parents and brother, Joe Stidman.

She is survived by her children, Andrew Mathis of Las Vegas, Nev., Virginia “Ginny” Mathis of Creve Coeur, Ill., and Katherine Hickman of Spartanburg, S.C.; five grandchildren, Sophie Johnson, Desarae, Crystal and Rachel Mathis, and Connor Hickman; six great grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Linda Stidman.  

Penny taught at a cosmetology school for 20 years and later worked for her parents at Polks Diner in Morton. She then owned and operated Penny’s Village Inn in Morton from 1991 until 2007. Penny then retired to become a full-time grandma.

Cremation rites will be accorded. Per Penny’s wishes, there will be no services.

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.knappjohnson.com.