Matthew J. Warner

Matt was born December 12th, 1974 at St. John’s Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. His father is David Warner Sr, of Roseville, Michigan, and his mother is Elizabeth (Lyons) Warner of Roseville, Michigan. His only brother is David Warner Jr. He was a lifelong bachelor and leaves behind no children. He was raised Catholic and was faithful until his death.

Matthew went to St. Issac Jogues School where he had many friends and was recognized for his easy going nature, fantastic imagination and artistic talent. He had a wonderful childhood and was surrounded by many neighborhood friends. He loved Popeye, Superman, Star Wars, He-Man and played Little League baseball. He had many cousins and his formative years were spent with them on all holidays and at many events. He was blessed with a large family who always held him in high regard, and was with him throughout his life and after his death.

Around the age of 12, Matthew read Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder, picked up his brother’s forgotten weight bench and weights, and began his lifelong interest in weightlifting and admiration of Arnold Schwarzenegger. When Matthew loved something or someone, he loved with passion and loyalty. He had so many friends, but his very best friends from this time until his death were Adam Markesino and Scott Steinhart.

Matthew attended Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan and graduated in 1993. He made many friends and did well in school. He also worked at Starburst Video. After high school. He attended Macomb Community College, and entered the workforce at Kehrig Manufacturing, where he worked for several years alongside his uncle Don Kehrig, cousins DJ and Steve Kehrig, and Uncle Bill Grill.

During this time, Matthew developed many friendships that continued until his untimely death. He traveled, enjoyed socializing, music, dancing, gaming, and he was a big fan of musician Prince. Matt had several significant romantic relationships and was engaged for a time. He was known as being the life of the party and always knew how to make people happy and to have fun.

When Matthew’s mother Beth developed cancer, Matt moved back to his childhood home to help her cope with her chemotherapy and to help take care of the house and some responsibilities. He left Kehrigs and returned to school to become a graphic designer. He worked as a DJ, photographer, videographer, and did freelance work in the graphic arts before finding employment at TDM in Plymouth, Michigan, where he worked as a Graphic Designer until his death. Again, Matthew made many friends and was well-regarded at his place of work. He enjoyed that job very much and put pressure on himself to succeed and do well.

When Matt’s beloved mother died in 2014 from cancer, many say he was never the same. He focused on work and withdrew a bit from some relationships. He moved from St. Clair Shores to Woodhaven to be closer to his father Dave when his father needed him. His loyalty and love for his family and friends continued, and he also developed new friendships. He shared a love of Star Wars with his brother David, and they had vowed (and even travelled great distances) to be together and view each new movie in a theatre since 1999. Matthew died 17 days before the final Star Wars film was released, and he had tickets to see it with his brother and David’s wife Cleio. This fact would undoubtedly frustrate him to no end.

Matthew is survived by his father, David Warner Sr of Woodhaven, MI; brother David Warner Jr, of Chicago, Illinois; sister-in-law Cleio Warner of Chicago, Illinois. Matt is predeceased by his mother Elizabeth (Lyons) Warner (March 1st, 1949 - June 14th, 2014), his grandparents David And Beata Lyons, and Leonard and Virginia Warner.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Star Wars: Force For Change in Matthew’s name.