Matthew C. Etzel

Matt was born in Heidelberg, Germany on February 4, 1974, to parents Linda E. (Olson Etzel) Goines and Dennis C. Etzel. Matt was lovingly raised by his mother and step-father, Richard L. Goines Sr., in Davenport, IA; moving with them and his two brothers, Buddy and Kevin, to Chillicothe IL, in 1988. After graduation, Matt lived for a time in both Kentucky and Arkansas before returning to Illinois. He had recently moved to Varna, IL and currently worked for Hardin Industries in Lacon, IL.

Matt was intelligent, out-going, athletic, musical and artistic as a young child. He enjoyed softball, skateboarding, motorcycle riding, camping, fishing, tubing, skiing, swimming and diving. As an adult, he enjoyed country music, antiques, horseshoes, shooting pool, darts, pinball machines, target shooting, classic cars, sport cars, a good pickup truck and a loyal dog.

Matt was quite entertaining, the life of the party at family events. We couldn’t help but laugh at his stories, ‘embellished for effect’, as we knew most of them to be. He preferred the peacefulness of country living to the hustle of city life and wasn’t afraid of hard work. He was a great mechanic and you could often find him with a baseball cap on his head and his boots sticking out from either his own, a friend’s or a family member’s vehicle.

We will miss our red-headed, big-hearted Matt...for he left us far too soon; but we are a loving, supportive family and we will keep these memories of him alive in our hearts and conversations.

Survivors include his mother, Linda E. Goines, Chillicothe, IL, father, Dennis C Etzel, Montpelier, IA; beloved son and grandchildren, Austyn P. Marks, Tessa, Landon and Holland of Peoria, IL; brothers, Kevin (Jennifer) Etzel and Richard “Buddy” Goines Jr. of Chillicothe, IL and Zach (Sarah) Etzel of Durant, IA; sister-in-law, Keri “Pody” Goines of Chillicothe, IL; step-sisters, Julie Johnson, Rock Island, IL and Karie Goines, Moline, IL; aunts and uncles, Ken (Marcia) Olson, Bettendorf, IA and Larry (Nan) Olson, Davenport, IA, Janice Olson, Chillicothe, IL, Garland (Sarah) Hughes, Sikeston, MO, John (Karen) Hughes, Seymour, IA, Sharon (Lucille Librizzi) Reeves, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Mike Etzel of Phoenix, AZ and Terry Etzel of Davenport, IA; numerous cousins and his very special niece and nephews. Matt also leaves behind his devoted four-legged companion, Lilly.

Matt was preceded in death by his step-father, Richard Lowell (Rich) Goines Sr.; grandparents, Harold and Dorothy Olson, Raymond Lowell and Betty Goines, Edwin C. Etzel Jr., Mary Jo Potter; uncle, Dennis Reeves; niece, Kaylie Lynn and numerous rescue dogs that wiggled their way into his heart, most recently big Hoss.

A private graveside service was held in Davenport Memorial Park, Davenport IA, where Matt was buried alongside his step-dad and other family members. Memorials may be made in Matt’s memory to the TAPS No Kill Shelter, 100 Taps Ln, Pekin, IL 61554, https://www.tapsshelter.org/donations. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.dignitymemorial.com.

Rest in peace, Matt. We love you.