Matthew Barrett Stratton

Matthew Barrett Stratton, 51, passed away on January 21, 2025 in Woodstock, Illinois. He was born on August 23, 1973 in Elgin, Illinois to Jerry and Denise (Falconer) Stratton. He joined his big brother Sean, as they grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He graduated from Crystal Lake Central High School in 1991, and attended McHenry County College. He went on to many different jobs, from a tourist fishing boat (The Helen S) in Pompano Beach, Florida, to construction in Oklahoma. He moved back up to Illinois with aspirations to open a Jersey Mike’s Subs with his close friend Dan. He was well on his way to accomplishing this, and he had worked very hard to make this dream come true.

Matthew was an excellent guitar player, playing in several bands with friends. He was an avid gamer. Matt played everything, ESO among many others. He was well respected in the gaming community, always ready to help other gamers work through difficult sections or creating his own builds that he would share to help others improve their gaming. Matt and Sean began playing ESO together the last year, bonding and spending time together. Spending that time together will always be such a blessing for Sean, getting to know this aspect of his life and giving them a chance to spend time together talking and laughing on a daily basis. Matthew loved to read from a young age. Matt was very creative; he’d spend hours as a kid building massive projects with LEGOs and passing that love on to his nephews. Jerry would take Matt & Sean on fishing trips all the time, including some special trips to Bull Shoals, Arkansas. They’d go deep sea fishing in Florida with their cousin Captain Jimmy. Matt would light up whenever he got to see his nephews Ryan and Aidan. They were a big part of his life, and he loved them as if they were his own. He’d go with the family to Harry Potter world or on camping trips to the Wisconsin Dells. Matthew was a gift to all, who loved and was loved by everyone he met. He was a kind, gentle soul who has forever changed all those he knew.

Matthew will be greatly missed by his mother, Denise Stratton; his brother Sean (Lisa) Stratton; his nephews Ryan & Aidan Stratton; and all the friends and family who knew and loved him.

Matthew is preceded in death by his father, Jerry Stratton.

There will be a visitation for Matthew on Monday, January 27 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home in Crystal Lake, IL, with a Prayer Service to begin at 4:30. Following the visitation, there will be a time of sharing beginning at 6:00 PM.