STERLING – Edgar T. Matthews, 82, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. He worked in the steel industry his entire life, coming to Sterling in 1981, to work in sales and management at Northwestern Steel and Wire Co. until retiring.

Edgar was born May 24, 1930, in Owensboro, Ky., the son of Clell and Zetta (Sarver) Matthews. Edgar was a graduate of Peru High School, class of 1949, Indiana University School of Business, and U.S. Naval School. He served in the Navy, commissioned out of Norfolk, Va. He married Elise Wrigley on Aug. 2, 1953, in Peru, Ind. Edgar was a member of First Congregational Church of Sterling. 

Survivors include his wife, Elise; one daughter, Sara (John) Blessent  of Bloomington; two sons, Jeff Matthews of Hanover, Ind., and Alan (Cara) Matthews of Hopkins, Mich.; two sisters, Reba Reed of Kokomo, Ind., and Ann (Kris) Schultz of Olivenhain, Calif.; one brother, Jim (Carole) Matthews of San Marcos, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Anna and Sam Matthews.