Obit: Keller, Matthew Robert (1987 - 2019)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Keller, Brekke, Opelt, Bieneck, Wampole, Simonson, Marg

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/22/2019

Keller, Matthew Robert (13 August 1987 – 17 May 2019)

Matthew Keller, age 31, of Neillsville, died Friday, May 17, 2019 at the Marshfield Medical Center in Neillsville.

Matthew Robert Keller was born on August 13, 1987 in Marshfield, the son of Larry and Bonnie (Brekke) Keller. He attended Neillsville High School graduating in 2006. Matt worked a few jobs after graduation and then found a connection with Frank and Teresa at Speakeasy Saloon. He followed them from the LA Sports Bar to Behind Bars and finally to Speakeasy, where he became Frank’s right-hand man, doing everything from cooking to helping build the Silver Dome II. Matt also worked a short time at the dam in Hatfield, but he loved working for Frank and Teresa and Speakeasy was always his home.

Matt loved being outdoors, he loved the Black River. He enjoyed jumping off the dock and kayaking and
canoeing on the Black River. He loved being in the woods at his mother’s house and building dams in the creek. He had a fascination with trains and the Titanic. He loved riding his moped and would ride it to the LA Sports Bar, or LA Sports Bra as he called it. He was proud of his VW Beetle when he purchased it, and he was proud of his home on Hewett Street. He enjoyed doing the Highground Bike Ride from Hayward to Neillsville for many years. He loved The Beatles and his cat Marley.

Matt made everyone happier just by being around him. He was the class clown that everyone loved. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone just to help. He was one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable and will be forever dearly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his father, Larry (Rosemary Opelt) Keller of Neillsville, his mother, Bonnie Keller of Neillsville, brothers, David (Tanya) Keller, Bob Keller, Eugene (Tracey) Bieneck, Chris (Nicky) Keller and Joe Keller all of Neillsville, nieces and nephews, Ariel Keller, Tyler Keller, Derek Keller, Isiac Keller, Hallie Bieneck, Brianna Bieneck, Bella Bieneck, MacKenzie Keller, Jake Keller and Piper Keller, and his grandmother, Corrine Brekke along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and life-long friend, Brandon Wampole.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Herbert and Velma Keller, his maternal grandfather, Dr. Eugene H. Brekke, an uncle, Kenneth Keller and an aunt, Shirley Simonson.

To celebrate Matt’s life there will be a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at the Gesche Funeral Home. Pastor Terry Marg will officiate. The celebration will continue after the service at Speakeasy Saloon, where a luncheon will be served. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, the 28th, at the Gesche Funeral Home.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Matt’s family with funeral arrangements.