Vernona "Nonie" Marie (Arbogast) Mathews

Vernona (Nonie) M. Mathews, of Pilot Rock, Oregon, passed away on April 26, 2023, at Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston, Oregon at the age of 92.  A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Skyview Cemetery between Pilot Rock and Pendleton.

Nonie was born on February 4, 1931.  She was the second child of four children born to Gertrude Molke Arbogast and Ernie Arbogast.  Nonie graduated from Pilot Rock High School in 1949 and Married James H. Mathews on January 11, 1952.  Jim and Nonie had two children: Sharon born on December 5, 1955, and Harmon born on March 15, 1958.

Nonie had a very active life in her younger years.  She and her husband, Jim, were avid bowlers.  Tuesday night Women’s League, Wednesday night Men’s League and Thursday night Doubles.  Sharon and Harmon felt they were raised in bowling alleys.  Of course, there were also Bowling Tournaments in Reno and Las Vegas.  Nonie loved making ceramics and even had a kiln in her garage.  She made numerous Christmas trees for family members over the years.  Nonie made many counted cross stitch pictures and needle-point pictures.  Nonie loved to knit.  Not just afghans, but over the years she made sweaters, vests, mittens, baby clothes, Barbie clothes and dish cloths.  She led several 4-H knitting clubs right after she was married.  She continued to knit until about a week before she died.  Nonie was famous for her taco pie that she made during Round-Up for the beer crew.

Nonie’s first job was as a telephone operator when she graduated from high school.  After that it seemed that Nonie always had physical jobs.  She worked at Kern’s Furniture Factory and then Louisiana Pacific.  Her last job was as a Weigh Master at L.P.  She retired in 1990.

Nonie lived in the family home until her declining health forced her to move to Sun Ridge Retirement Center in Pendleton in October of 2021.  The bone spurs in her back continued to make daily living very uncomfortable.  A fall, a broken hip, surgery and then heart failure caused her death on April 26, 2023.

Nonie is survived by her daughter Sharon Scholtes (Jim) of Bend, Oregon and her son Harmon Mathews of Pilot Rock.  Grandchildren Ashley Scholtes of Bend, Oregon, Avenlea Hayes (Dylan) of Eugene, Oregon, Robin Mathews of Pilot Rock, Oregon, LJ Larue of Dallas, Texas and one 9-month-old great-granddaughter, Egwene Hayes of Eugene, Oregon.

Arrangements are with Pendleton Pioneer Chapel, Folsom-Bishop.  Donations in memory of Nonie may be made to The Life Church Youth Group, 222 SW 3rd St., Pilot Rock, Oregon 97868.