Charles Preston Mathews, 79, co-owner and president of the Wayne County Press, passed away in his sleep Saturday evening at his Kincaid Acres home in Fairfield. Mr. Mathews had suffered from a serious liver condition for about two years. In recent months, his condition had deteriorated, requiring hospitalization for a week at St. Louis University Hospital. He returned home last Thursday, but had lost substantial weight and was in a weakened condition. The end was swift and unexpected for family members. Funeral services will be conducted at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home on Saturday at 2 p.m. with Rev. Melissa Garrison officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12:45 to 2 p.m. Memorials in his honor may be made to the Fairfield Park District to be used towards a splash pad. Mr. Mathews was born in Washington, Ind., on June 18, 1942, the son of T. O. and Mabel (Cunningham) Mathews. He was educated in Fairfield's sch