Nick J. Mathes

Nick John Mathes, 88, of Florence passed away Thursday morning, June 21st at Carolinas Hospital in Florence, SC.Mr. Mathes was preceded in death by his parents, John and Maria Mathes, and his granddaughter, Christina Huggins. Mr. Mathes was born on November 25, 1929 in Klapsi, Greece and immigrated to the United States in 1946, where he resided in Winston-Salem, NC and became an American Citizen.In 1952, he was drafted into the United States Army, where Sergeant Mathes proudly served his country for 2 years while stationed at Fort Jackson, in Columbia, SC. In 1956, Mr. Mathes married Joanna Kanos from Florence, SC.In 1965, Mr. and Mrs. Mathes moved to Florence, SC, where Mr. Mathes went into business with his 2 brothers-in-law, running the Sky-View Drive-in.In 1967, Mr. Mathes opened the Golden Angus Steak House and retired from the restaurant in 1975. Mr. Mathes was a member of the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church having served as a Chantor for more than 30 years.Mr. Mathes enjoyed fishing, cooking, gardening, laughing with friends and family, and telling stories. Mr. Mathes is survived by the love of his life for 61 years, his wife, Joanna Kanos Mathes; his son John Mathes and his wife, Carlene, of Florence, SC; his daughter Paula Huggins and her husband, Michael, of Chapin, SC; and his sisters, Toula Vlachos of Fayetteville, NC and Olga Vlachos of Winston-Salem, NC. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 23rd at the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church in Florence, SC.Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. In lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church, 2990 S. Cashua Drive, Florence, SC 29501.