Obituary of Matthew Keilman

Matthew was born on July 27, 1967 in Monroe to Suzanne (Godfred) and William B. Keilman who died in an auto accident when he was eight months old. Matt attended St. John's and its school serving as an altar boy. He transferred to Monroe Junior High School to play football. Matt excelled during the junior high years in wrestling and football, and played ball at Custer School. Matt continued growing in strength. As a freshman his interest went from school sports to powerlifting. Matt won the state Teenage Powerlifting Championship in the 14-15 age bracket at 198lb weight class, and the 220lb division of the 16-17 age bracket. For many years, Matt could be found spending time in powerlifting gyms. Matt graduated in 1986 from Monroe High School. He graduated from Sienna Heights University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1997, Michigan Association of Children Alliances recognized Matt with a Hugh Whipple Award. Matt enjoyed drawing with black charcoal and painting in water color and oils. He had attended art classes at the Toledo Museum of Art and an art school in Detroit. Matt enjoyed working with youth. He was employed by Boysville, and later also took employment with Monroe County Youth Center. He often went from one shift to the other. Matt grew from care worker, to group leader, to supervisor. In 2011 he became certified as a Crisis Prevention Intervention Instructor. Matt was a state ranked chess player. He gave instruction and the gift of chess sets to his nieces and nephews and those youth he worked with. Matthew age 45 passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 14, 2013. In addition to his father his passing was preceded by a nephew: Alex Weakly, and grandparents: Carl and Cecelia Godfred, Clarence and Helen Keilman. Survivors include his parents: Paul C. and Suzanne K. Kiley; sisters: Veronica (Mark) Fisher, Valerie Kiley, and Emily Kiley; brother: Paul Kiley; nieces and nephews: Vanessa, Mark, and Nicholas Fisher, Anna King, Tatum and Max Weakly, and Seth Josten. He will lie in state from 10:00am until the Mass of the Resurrection at 11:00am, Saturday, January 19, at St. John, 501 South Monroe. Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185 is entrusted with his arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Boys and Girls Club or Charity of Choice. Online at www.merklefs.com.