Justin Mathews

Beloved son and friend, Justin Mathews, passed away at the age of 31 on April 20, 2023 at Applewood Lane Group Home in Lebanon after a courageous battle with cancer

Justin Michael Mathews (Punky) was born on October 12, 1991 in Springfield, Missouri to Erin Dawn Mathews.  He graduated from Branson High School in 2012. He lived with his mom and step-father, Wra Ledford in Branson before moving to Lebanon. 

Justin came to live at Applewood Group Home in February 2022 and while he lived in the home he stole the hearts of everyone he met. Justin had a BIG personality. If he didn’t win your heart in the first 5 minutes of meeting you something was wrong. Justin was a very outgoing young man who knew no strangers, loved his stuffed puppy named Rufus, loved anything to do with Spider Man, loved yogurt and loved to exercise. Justin’s favorite movies were Legally Blonde and Mean Girls.  Justin loved to sit in the office and tell his house manager what needed to be done. When he got excited, he would jump up and down, clap his hands and give whoever was close to him a huge hug. Justin liked to go on car rides. He would say “bye-bye” and when he knew he was leaving he would get so excited hugging everyone like he wasn’t going to see you forever. He also liked to show people his thongs and say “mine“ until someone would say “yours”. Justin loved to be helpful. He would put his housemates dishes in the sink or throw things in the trash and he loved to take the trash out to the dumpster. When he was done with doing something like this he would pat his chest and we would say “good job”, and he would just smile so big.   Justin’s smile would light up the room, and he kept that smile through it all. His housemates and staff loved him.  Justin will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Justin was preceded in death by his mother, Erin Ledford.  He is survived by his step-father Wra Ledford of Kansas and many friends at Applewood in Lebanon, LTDC and Tan-Tone Industries in Branson.

A memorial service for Justin will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Applewood Lane Group Home, 18811 W. Hwy 32, Lebanon, MO 65536.  Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory, Branson.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Justin Mathews, please visit our floral store.