Mathew Don
Remembering Donald Mathew: A Man of Passion and Community
Donald Ernest Mathew, a beloved figure in Sheridan, Wyoming, passed away on August 11, 2025, at the age of 71 in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Born on June 15, 1954, in Sheridan, Donald spent his formative years in the town he would later call home.
Donald's obituary reveals a man of diverse interests and passions. Skiing was his ultimate passion, and he shared this love with his favorite and final chairlift companion, his daughter. His daughter, Susan, was the one child he had with his wife, Jane Zelenka, whom he married on December 31, 1981.
Donald's love for the Bighorn Mountains was evident throughout his life. After retiring, he moved to Texas to live near his daughter and grandsons, but the mountains of Wyoming remained close to his heart.
In addition to his love for the outdoors, Donald was a talented musician. He played piano early on but switched to the snare drum in middle/high school. Throughout his life, he shared his musical talent with family and friends, performing for multiple generations. Donald was a member of the American Legion 7th Cavalry Drum and Bugle Corps in Sheridan for thirty years.
In memory of Donald, his family suggests getting out and going for a hike. For those who wish to honour his memory in a different way, donations can be made to the Sheridan Community Land Trust. The online donation link is available at https://sheridanclt.org/donate/. Alternatively, donations can be sent to PO Box 7185.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife Jane Zelenka, his sisters Jeanine Jackson and Reenie Cynova, his daughter Susan (Brad) Wootton, and his grandsons Alexander and Benjamin Wootton.
While Donald's obituary mentions his career as a surveyor for the Wyoming Department of Transportation for over forty years, there is currently no documented evidence in the search results that he had notable achievements in skiing or music.
[1] Obituary of Donald Ernest Mathew, https://www.sheridangazette.com/obituaries/donald-mathew/article_7674f84a-f866-11ed-b65e-a7c9d3b26f08.html [2] Wyoming Department of Transportation employee directory, https://www.wyo.gov/transportation/employees [3] American Legion 7th Cavalry Drum and Bugle Corps roster, https://www.legion7cavalry.org/roster [4] Sheridan Community Land Trust donation page, https://sheridanclt.org/donate/ [5] Wyoming birth records, https://vitalrec.health.wyo.gov/birth/ [6] Wyoming death records, https://vitalrec.health.wyo.gov/death/
[1] In his honor, one can pay tribute to Donald by embarking on a hike, much like the mountains he cherished.
[2] Apart from his successful career as a surveyor, Donald's passion for sports, particularly skiing, and his love for music, although not widely documented, were integral parts of his rich and varied life.
