Dawn Mathena

CUSTER PARK—Dawn Mathena (nee Duha), 63, of Custer Park, IL, passed away Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 at her home with her family by her side.  
Dawn was born Sept. 24, 1954 in Joliet, IL to Frank and Gladys (nee Voight) Duha. She married Dennis Mathena on Feb. 8, 1975 in New Lenox, IL and they made their home on their farm in Custer Park, IL.
An avid horsewoman, she bred, trained and showed American Quarter horses for over 50 years and was especially fond of her horse, Prissey. She was the 1997 Exhibitor of the Year at the Grundy County Fair as well as a lifetime member of AQHA.
Dawn also enjoyed horseshows, trail riding, going to classic car shows with her 1966 Pontiac Lemans, and don't forget all of her loving pets, especially her cat, Whitey.
For 30 years she was employed by Exxon Mobile.  Dawn was a 40 year Multiple Sclerosis survivor and finally succumbed to cancer.
Surviving are her husband of 43 years, Dennis Mathena; sons, Damien Mathena and Dustin Mathena; sister, Diana (nee Duha) Williams and loving partner, Jack Ruiter; father-in-law, Russel Mathena; sister-in-law, Luann Mathena; grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.   
Preceding her in death were her parents and infant daughter, Diane Mathena.  
Cremation rights have been accorded.  A Celebration of Dawn's Life will be held at a later date and her cremains will be scattered from Prissey, her horse, back at their family farm.  
Memorial donations in her name may be directed to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or Joliet Area Hospice.
For   more   information   and   to   sign   her   online   guestbook log   on  to www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com  or find their Facebook page at R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes and Crematory.
Cremation rites have been made under the direction of R.W. Patterson Funeral Home and Crematory, 401 E. Main St., Braidwood.