Matthew Earl Lewis

Matthew E. Lewis, 60, passed away peacefully at his home on September 7, 2026, surrounded by family. He bravely navigated the challenges of early-onset Alzheimer's disease with grace and dignity. Born June 4, 1966, in St. Louis, MO, to Donald and Vivian Lewis, Matthew lived a life defined by faith, family, friendship, and an enduring commitment to serving others.

Matthew's Catholic faith shaped him from an early age and remained an important part of who he was. From preschool through college, his education was rooted in the Catholic tradition, first at Mary Queen of Peace School in St. Louis, then at De Smet Jesuit High School, and ultimately at Rockhurst University in Kansas City. That lifelong foundation informed his understanding of responsibility, service, compassion, and community.

Running also became an integral part of his identity. At De Smet, he was co-captain of the 1983 Missouri State Championship cross-country team. At Rockhurst, he helped establish the university's cross-country program, reflecting his commitment to building something lasting, a theme present throughout his life. He would go on to complete more than 20 marathons, most notably the Boston, New York City, and Chicago marathons, with a personal record of 2:37:28. He ran multiple races with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program as well, raising thousands of dollars to support lifesaving research.

After graduating from Rockhurst University, Matthew began building a career that combined his strengths in finance, leadership, and service. He spent several years in public accounting with Baird, Kurtz & Dobson (BKD) in Kansas City, where he worked in the firm's healthcare practice.

Matthew then founded his own company, Progressive Health Care Group, Inc., through which he assumed operations of Shady Lawn Nursing Home in Savannah, MO. He ran it on a simple philosophy, to improve the quality of care and create a more personal, compassionate environment for the people who lived there.

That experience led to the defining chapter of his career: 23 years at Village Shalom in Overland Park, KS, first as Chief Financial Officer and, following his promotion in 2005, as President and CEO. He guided the organization through major financial challenges, reducing capital debt by more than $25 million. A $42 million campus expansion project followed under his leadership, adding new independent living, memory care, rehabilitation, and community spaces. He championed a more person-centered approach to memory care and helped preserve access to care for residents who could no longer afford it.

His leadership was tested in 2014, when Village Shalom was the site of an act of domestic terrorism. Matthew helped guide residents, families, and staff through the crisis and its aftermath with strength and compassion. His response drew national recognition, including two invitations to the White House from President Obama.

For all he built professionally, family was the center of Matthew's life. Nothing brought him greater joy than time spent with his children and grandchildren. He shared his love of sports with his children, in particular the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. He enjoyed musical theater and was a longtime fan of the band KISS. Holiday traditions were deeply important to him, especially Christmas. To his family, he was a source of strength, humor, and unconditional love- someone who celebrated their successes, stood beside them through challenges, and took pride in the people they became.

The measure of Matthew's legacy is ultimately found not in what he built, but in the people he loved, the people who loved him, and the many lives he made better simply by being part of them.

Matthew was preceded in death by his father, Donald Lewis.

He is survived by his wife, Rada Lewis; his mother, Vivian Lewis; his children, Thaddeus Lewis (Julie), Cara Bertrand (John), Mason Stickler, Andrew Lewis, Ellyn Helbert (Cole), Jacob Lewis (Sydney), Kirby Stickler, Marilyn Stickler, and Owen Lewis; twelve grandchildren, Adel, Otis, Walter, Rudy, Raquel, Audrey, Luke, Charlotte, Cooper, Sebastian, Hudson, and Calvin; and his brothers, Chris Lewis (Brandi), Patrick Lewis, and James Lewis.

Services will be held at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W 119th St, Leawood, KS 66209 on Friday, September 25. A Rosary will begin at 10:40 a.m. and the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at Hallbrook Country Club, 11200 Overbrook Rd, Leawood, KS 66211.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Kansas City, 8001 Conser St., Suite 240, Overland Park, KS 66204 in Matthew's memory.