Matthew Eugene Heckroth, was born August 3, 1983 in Iowa City, Iowa. His childhood years were spent in the Royal, Iowa area where he was a junior at the Clay Central-Everly High school.
Matthew enjoyed participatingin the school choir, roller skating and most of all going deer and pheasant hunting and fishing with his grandfather, Gail Handy and uncle Brian Handy. Matthew was a kind and helpful young man who always had a kind word and smile for others.
Matthew passed away at his home on Novemeber 6, 2000 at the age of 17. He was preceded in death by his maternal great grand-parents: Frank and Gladys Handy and Grace Werkhoven; his maternal grandmother, Bonnie Handy; paternal grandfather Louie Johnson; grandmother, Donna Heckroth; and his uncle Ronnie Johnson.
Matthew is survived by his parents: Vicki and Tim Heckroth of Peterson Iowa, two sisters: Heidi Axford and her husband Brian of Terril Iowa, and Melissa Johnson and her fiance Carl Lindahl of Spencer Iowa, one niece Breanna; His grand parents: Gail and Shirley Handy of Terril Iowa and Paul Heckroth of Deford Michigan and many other aunts and uncles and friends.

Matt's neice, Breanna. Her first Easter with us and our first without Matt.

Time cannot steal the treasures
that we carry in our hearts
Nor dim the shining thoughts
our cherished past imparts
And memories of ones we've loved
still cast their gentle glow
to grace our days and light our paths
wherever we may go