Matthew Weber

Matthew Richard Weber, 51, of Jackson passed away suddenly in the early morning hours of Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at his home.

Matthew was the loving husband of 17 years to Christa Garrett Weber and the proud and loving father to three beautiful daughters: Ava Marie, Emma Grace and Madelyn Cecelia.

Matthew was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altenburg, where he was confirmed into Christ in the spring of 1986. He graduated from Perryville High School in 1990, where he was a star player on the Pirates baseball team. He went on to play baseball at Southeast Missouri State University, graduating in 1995 with a degree in exercise science and health management.

A large portion of Matthew's career was spent selflessly helping others regain a healthier lifestyle as a cardiac rehab exercise specialist and through his personal training. In 2021, Matthew took the leap of a lifetime and started his own business, Gray Eagle Lawn Care (in memory of his father). He took a great deal of pride in helping his client's properties looking top notch. His attention to detail was unmatched.

Matthew was a college football enthusiast. He was a founding member of the Wild and Wacky College Football Traveling Crew, visiting several college football stadiums across the country. His first love was Nebraska Football, and he loved traveling to Lincoln each year and taking in a game with Christa. He was a true fan and would declare with certainty that "This Year" would be the year of the Huskers!

Matthew was an avid outdoors man. He cherished his time in the woods, checking his game cameras and managing wildlife in preparation for each year's upcoming deer season. Matt's many hours in his tree stand brought him true peace. In November 2023, Matt introduced daughter Emma to hunting. Together, they harvested a buck and, through Matt's smile that day, it was obvious that sharing that moment with Emma was his greatest hunting achievement.

Christa, Ava, Emma and Maddy were Matthew's world. He was their biggest fan and No. 1 cheerleader. He never missed an opportunity to see his girls' cheer at football and basketball games, dance, run track and flip around the gymnastics gym. Matthew's other loves included collecting baseball cards, vacationing with family, occasionally slicing a golf ball into the woods and watching and reenacting every episode of "Seinfeld" and other old sitcoms.

Matthew was preceded in death by his father, Richard Weber; paternal grandparents, Edmund and Verna Weber; and maternal grandparents, Herbert and Thelma Steffens.

Along with Christa and his three loving daughters, survivors include his mother, Kathryn (Steffens) Weber of Frohna: three sisters, Kimberly (Les) Fritsche, Shelly (Rodney) Steffens and Rachel (Bleau) Deckerd. Matthew also was the proud and loving uncle to 12 nieces and nephews and 10 great-nieces and -nephews.

Matthew's greatest gift to family and friends will always be the memories and smiles he has left behind. He missed his calling as a stand-up comedian, but that didn't stop him from being the life of the party and often times turning family gatherings into a comedic performance. Matthew's legacy will be the positive impact he made on every life he touched, the smiles and laughter he brought to so many, and his enduring optimism, knowing that no matter what life throws at you, tomorrow will be a better day!

Matthew Richard Weber: Loved by many! Missed by all!

Visitation was held Tuesday, Jan. 2, at Ford and Young East Perry Funeral Home in Altenburg. Visitation will continue from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altenburg.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, at the church, with the Rev. Frank Lucas officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given for family use.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandyoungfuneralhome.com.