Mathias G. Gartner

To say that Matt was larger than life would be an understatement. He was born in Chicago to the late John and Alma (Forster) Gartner on December 14th, 1959. Matt is survived by Laura, his beloved wife of forty years whom he proposed to the night they met, and many times thereafter. Left to squabble over his extensive collection of sports memorabilia and beer steins are his four children, Marti (Shane Workman), Heidi (Chris) Bloom, Eric (Dana), and Michael (Audrey). Matt relished his role as Big Pop Pop, Beempa, and Grandpa to Adeline and Haven Gartner, Casey and Cody Bloom, and Piper Workman, to whom he regretfully passed on his tree trunk legs. Left with a lifetime’s worth of fond memories are his mother-in-law Winkie Meyer; brothers John (Linda) and Paul (Linda); and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Matt’s unrivaled work ethic started at a young age. His mother, Alma, would proudly recount the story of an elementary school aged Matt rising early and pulling a sled full of newspapers through the snow, delivering them before the start of his school day. As a young man, Matt started working as a bouncer at Fiddler’s Green, which is where he met Laura and first proposed. In adulthood, Matt at times worked as many as three jobs in order to provide all the things he felt his family deserved.

Matt was a natural athlete and excelled at a variety of sports. He played football, softball, basketball, and floor hockey, but his true passion was ice hockey. He played as a defenseman for his hockey team at Lane Tech High School and went on to coach his sons’ youth hockey teams. Matt was affectionately referred to as Maddog by the players and his fellow coaches.

As hard as he worked, Matt always had time for fun and was notoriously young at heart. Wherever he went kids flocked to him, whether it was on his honeymoon in Bermuda, camping with his family, or at hockey team parties. The neighborhood kids loved to play in the two-story treehouse, pool, and ice rink that he built in his yard.

Matt’s happy place was his backyard where he enjoyed sitting with his family, listening to rock n’ roll (often too loudly), drinking good beer, and grilling his famous Burgers from Hell. Matt’s family and friends would describe him as our rock, intelligent, hilarious, a great story teller, a master griller and cook, the life of the party, kind-hearted, charitable, the kind of person who would gladly give you the shirt off his back, and the best husband and father we could have asked for. But really, he will be missed more than words can ever say.

Matt was not a fan of dressing up and would want you to be comfortable. We highly encourage you to join the family in honoring Matt’s memory by wearing a Harley Davidson, Blackhawks, tie-dye, or classic rock band t-shirt. Bonus points if you also wear shorts or Zubaz pants.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Matt’s memory to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

A visitation will be held Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 12-3 PM at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner St. Des Plaines, IL 60016, followed by the service at 3 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OehlerFuneralHome.com for the GARTNER family.