Obituary, Alton [IL] Telegraph, Friday Nov 24, 1950
John O. Mathis Dies at Age 69
John Owen Mathis, 69, who had worked at the roofing trade in Alton until four years ago, died unexpectedly Thanksgiving day at his home, 813 Adams Court. He had suffered from a heart ailment for several years but had been able to be up and around the house and his death came as a shock to his family.
About 7:10 p.m., a call was made to the police by members of Mathis' family asking for assistance because of the sudden illness of Mr. Mathis. Help was dispatched to the Mathis home but on arrival there of police, it was found that Mathis had succumbed.
He was born Sept. 20, 1881, at Hettick. He had resided in Alton for 22 years and until 1941, had worked as a roofer. He had also been employed for a while at Beall Tool Co.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Naomi Mathis, two daughters, Mrs. Crstal Hodge of Milwauke, Mrs. Clyde Dickerson (sic - should be Dirickson), Modesto, Calif., a son, J. N. Mathis, of Alton, two sisters, Mrs. Oscar Wilson, and Mrs. Sabie Carter, Bardwell, KY, two brothers, Joseph of Bardwell, and Oase of California.
Funersl rites will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m., in Staten Funeral home by the Rev. W. Freeman. Privett, pastor of Cherry Street BAptist Church. Burial will be in Upper Alton Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m., Saturday.

Added note: wife's maiden name is Naomi Wilson. She was born Jun 05, 1888 in Obion Co., TN, the daughter of James William (Tobe) Wilson and Nancy A. HUNT. She died Feb 28, 1966 in Alton, IL.

Do you have any more on John Mathis? Naomi is the sister of my grandmother Essise C, but can't find anything besides your obit about him

Here's the rest of our notes on John Mathis:

1910 Census, Kentucky > Carlisle > Magisterial District 1 > Enumeration District 35 > Sheet 15A, image 19 of 27
The family lives in a rented house. Both adults can read and write.
John Mathis head, m, 27, m2, 2 yr, KY, TN, TN, laborer, farm,
Neoma Mathis wife, f, 18, m1, 1 yr, 1 child, TN, TN, TN
Crystal Mathis dau, f, 11/12, s, KY, KY, VA

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: John Ones Mathis [sic- middle name is Owen]
City: Portageville, Pemiscot Co., Missouri
Birth Date: 26 Sep 1882
Race: White
Roll: 1683496
Occupation: farming, employer J. L. Grymus, Portageville, Pemiscot Co., MO
Nearest relative: wife, Nermona Mathis [sic- name is Naomi], Portageville, Pemiscot Co., MO
Appearance: tall, slender to medium build, blue eyes, black hair, no limbs missing
Date: Sept 12, 1918

1920 Census, Butler, Pemiscot, Missouri Roll: T625_939 Page: 9A ED: 160 Image: 0052
St. Francis Lew Rd. The family lives in a rented house
Mathis, John, head, w, m, 37, m, KY, TN, TN, farm laborer, wage earner
Naoma, wife, w, f, 29, m, TN, TN, TN
Crystal, dau, w, f, 10, s, MO, KY, TN
Rachel, dau, w, f, 8 6/12, s, MO, KY, TN
Vivian, dau, w, f, 6 5/12. s, MO, KY, TN

1930 Census, IL, Madison Co., Alton, ED: 14, Roll: T626_540, p. 11B Image: 0914
1105 Fourth St.
John Mathis is a car loader at the Glass Work. Noma and Crystal are packers at Glass Works.
Mathis, John, head, 37, b. KY, parents b. TN, married for first time at age 17
Mathis, Noma, wife, 36, b. TN, parents b. TN, married for first time at age 17
Mathis, Crstal, daughter, 18, b. MO, father b. KY, mother b. TN
Mathis, Vivian, daughter, 15, b. MO, father b. KY, mother b. TN
Mathis, J M, son, 9, b. MO, father b. KY, mother b. TN
Mathis, Blonora, daughter, 1 5/12, b. MO, father b. TN, mother b. MO (sic)
Dickson, Rachel, daughter, 16, b. TN, father b. KY, mother b. MO (sic - Surname is Dirickson)
Dickson, Wanda L., g-daughter, 0/12, b. IL, father b. MO, mother b. TN