Matthew John Porter

Matthew John Porter, 39, Woodstock, died unexpectedly Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, at his home in Woodstock.

He was born Dec. 15, 1973, in Champaign-Urbana.

He worked at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock in the material services department.  

He was attending Judson College where he was one course away from his bachelor’s degree in counseling.  He was a member of the Woodstock Assembly of God Church where he served as a youth pastor for several years. He enjoyed participating in several prison ministry programs.  He also was an active speaker with several Alcoholics Anonymous groups.  He was an avid reader and deep intellectual and scholar.  But, most of all, he was a great father to his girls, and they were the love and the joy of his life.

Survivors include three daughters, Kylie Elizabeth Tennessen-Porter, Madison Rose Porter and Ava Jean Porter; his mother, Nancy J. (Schuster) (Bill) Wilson; his father, John (Sharon L.) Porter; his sister, Kimberly (Eric) Porter-Hendrickson; his fiancée, Shannon Moerschbaecher; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and very dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Visitation was Oct.14 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.  

A memorial gathering and service were Oct. 15 at Woodstock Assembly of God Church.  

All other services were private.

Memorials can be sent to the M. Porter Memorial Fund, c/o BMO Harris Bank, 101 S. Benton St., Woodstock, IL 60098, which will be used as a trust fund for his daughters’ educations.