Reverend Matthew Justin Schmidt, 46, Decatur, IL, formerly of Aledo, IL, died on Sunday, November 12, 2017, at his home.  Visitation will be 4 pm to 6:30 pm Wednesday, November 15, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Decatur, with a funeral service at 7 pm at the church with Reverend Brock Abbott and Reverend William Abbott officiating.  A second visitation will be held 4 pm to 7 pm, Thursday, November 16, at Fippinger Funeral Home in Aledo, IL.  Graveside service will be 10 am Friday, November 17, at the Aledo Cemetery. 

Matt was born September 16, 1971, in Aledo, IL, to Vaughn and Pauline (Williams) Schmidt.  Matt graduated from Aledo High School in 1989.  He received a BA degree in Theology in 1997 from Concordia University, River Forest, IL.  He attended Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, and graduated in 2016 with an MDiv from Walther Theological Seminary in Decatur, IL.

Matt began working at the family Coast-to-Coast Hardware Store in Aledo and later in other retail settings.  He then worked in various positions in the food service industry, including as a sou chef at Jumer’s in Rock Island.  He was currently serving as pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and as Field Education Supervisor/Professor for Walther Theological Seminary.

He is survived by his mother, a brother Rev. Scott (Patricia) Schmidt of Princeton, IL; Linda (James) Lee of Chatham, IL; and Lisa (Jeffery) Friday of Rochelle, IL.  He is survived by a niece and nephews, Nick Lee, Quincy (Amanda) Lee, Corey Lee, Adam Schmidt, Alex (Lauren) Schmidt, Benjamin Worthington, Joseph Worthington and Faith Worthington.  He was also proud of his newborn great-nieces, Charlotte Lee and Elouise Schmidt.  He is also survived by three aunts and many cousins.

Matthew was preceded in death by his father Vaughn Schmidt in 1991, his grandparents, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorials may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Walther Theological Seminary or for the family’s discretion.

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