Timothy (Tim) Durward Matheny, 48, of San Ignacio, Belize, Central America, son of Douglas and Ilene Matheny of California, Mo., formerly of Rector and Marmaduke, died Aug. 15, 2006, at his home in San Ignacio.

He was born May 25, 1958, in Farmington, Mo. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ray and Evelyn Matheny of Rector and Robert and Ruth Moore of Beech Grove, and a nephew, Matt Anderson of California, Mo.

After graduating from California High School in 1977, he worked for Barry Construction in California, Mo., for 15 years. He was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church in Tipton, Mo., where he resided for several years. He joined the Peace Corps in 1993 and was assigned to Belize. His work in Belize included constructing concrete water storage units and creating water lines to the villages.

Upon his return to the United States, he enrolled at Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg, Mo., graduating cum laude in 1997. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in education and earth science.

After graduation, he returned to Belize and became employed as a teacher at Mount Carmel High School in Benque Viejo.

He will be remembered as an excellent educator, a great, adventurous and hilarious friend, generous with his time and resources, full of joy, a wonderful son, brother, uncle and godparent to many children in Belize and Tipton, and a devoted servant of God.

Survivors include his parents, Douglas and Ilene Matheny of California, Mo.; a brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Linda Matheny, of Arnold, Mo.; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Cindy (Matheny) and Kevin Hamlin of Cedar Park, Texas, and Faith (Matheny) Anderson of California, Mo., and nieces and nephews, Becky and Warren Anderson of California, Mo., and Jacob and Jessi Hamlin of Cedar Park, Texas.

Mass of Christian burial was held at Sacred Heart Parish in San Ignacio. A memorial mass also was held Aug. 23 at Mount Carmel High School in Benque Viejo, with his mother, sisters, brother, faculty and students attending. Burial was at nearby Santa Elana.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at California United Methodist Church in California, Mo.

Tim's parents graduated from Rector High School in 1951 and Marmaduke High School in 1955.

Memorials may be made toward scholarships, charities or organizations of the donor's choice.