J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Homes

Matko, Ryan A.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Ryan Anthony Matko, age 16, of Chester, VA, died on Wednesday, August 22, 2007. Ryan was born in Richmond, VA, and was an upcoming junior at Thomas Dale High School. He belonged to the Pittsburg Steelers Fan Club, and had been a big fan and member for four years. Ryan was a cook at the family restaurant, the Wild Rose Café, and had plans to pursue culinary school as a career. He also looked forward to working there more this year during the afternoons through a work study program at school that he had qualified for. Ryan loved to hunt, and was a member of the “Top Gun” hunting club in Buckingham County, VA. He is survived by a mother, Rose M. Matko of Chester; a father and step mother, Max M. and Victoria V. Griffith-Matko of Midlothian; a sister, Jessica Marie Matko of Chester; a niece, Madison Rose; grandparents, Judy and Howard Cummings of Chester; great-grandmother, Rosalie Blankenship of Westminister, MD; a special sister, Holly Schaffner; uncles, Thomas Matko and wife Laurie, and Joe Griffith; and aunts, Melissa Triscari and Tami Melchek and husband John; and cousins, Emily, Lindsey, Hunter, Colyn, and Michalena. The family will receive friends at the J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service on Sunday, August 26, 2007 from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Monday, 11 a.m. at the St. Edward Catholic Church, Richmond, VA. Interment will follow in Dale Memorial Park, Chesterfield. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions are made to the Ryan Matko Reward Fund through any local Village Bank. Condolences to the family may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com

Rose,
May you be in my thoughts and my prayers. Ryan was a good person, and we all know that. May god bless you and your family

The Horton Family

Posted by: Keara Horton at September 9, 2007 06:57 PM

Dear Rose, Max and Jessica,

I just want you to know how much Ryan meant to us. He will always have a special place in our hearts. He made us laugh and was like a son to Todd and I and a brother to Erik and Christopher. He will be missed always.

Posted by: Angie McCandless at September 1, 2007 02:46 PM

Rose and Family,

It has been a long time since I have seen you or your mother, but I remember you as a little girl so sweet and beautiful. I am so sorry that you must indure such a lose. We are thinking of you and remembering you in our prayers.

Judy, Shane & Laurie

Posted by: Judy Davis at August 31, 2007 02:04 PM

Rose, Max, Victoria, Jessica

We were sadden to hear of your loss of Ryan. Our heart goes out to you and your family.

Don, Carol, Christine, and Bryan Farthing
Old Arbor Landing Neighbors!

Posted by: Carol Farthing at August 28, 2007 10:52 AM

Dear Max, Rose and Jessica,

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in the sudden loss of Ryan. He was a great kid and will be sadly missed, especially Christopher, who loved to play video games with Ryan when he came to RI to visit. May God bless you and help you get through these tough times.

Posted by: Melissa Costa & family at August 27, 2007 09:35 PM

Dear Rose, Mr. Matko & Jessica,
As a patron of the Wild Rose Café, I extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family.

My thoughts and prayers will continue to surround you.

Janett Beatty
Chester, VA

Posted by: Janett Beatty at August 27, 2007 02:07 PM

To The Matko Family,

We did not know Ryan, but sent up immediate prayers for him & your family upon learning that he was missing. It was our prayer that you would not have to know such a tragic ending, though we can only imagine what you must be going through.

We continue to pray for you all and ask God to comfort you in your hours of sorrow. May He wrap you in His loving arms and guide you through the days ahead. May you find peace in knowing that He is always there for you and He must have a greater plan for Ryan than we could possibly know.

Everything we have heard about this young man has been positive and even through his death his life here on earth has touched many that you will probably never know. You have every reason to be very proud of him and the job you did raising this fine young man.

Love, sympathy and prayers go out to all of you. God bless each of you in His special way.

The Robertson Family

Posted by: The Robertsons at August 27, 2007 09:27 AM

I cannot imagine what you are going through.....just know that everyone in the Chester community is feeling your loss and you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: Angela at August 26, 2007 06:38 PM

Rose, Max, Jes,

We are so sadden to hear of your loss of Ryan. I cannot fathom what you must be going through and my heart is breaking for you. May God give you the strength to carry on one day at time to help you through this tragic loss of your son and brother. Please know that you all have always been close to our hearts although we are so far away. We love you all so very much!

Your Cousin,
Annette, Paul, Justin and Perry Knopp

Posted by: Paul, Annette, Justin and Perry Knopp at August 26, 2007 06:25 PM

Mrs. Matko,

Please accept my condolences.
I taught Ryan in the 4th grade at Ecoff Elementary School. He was always a special young man with excellent manners. You were always willing to help with any school project. I was priviledged to know and teach your son.
You are in my thoughts and my prayers.

Betty Moore
Ecoff Elementary School

Posted by: Betty Moore at August 26, 2007 01:56 PM

I am so sorry your terrible loss. I never had the pleasure of meeting Ryan, but my daughter and her friends enjoyed many good times at The Wild Rose and all of them have said they remember Ryan well and he always had a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. Please know that you have our prayers and that our hearts are breaking for all of you.

Carol, Sam and Keri Williams
Chester Virginia

Posted by: Carol Williams at August 26, 2007 12:55 PM

Dear Max & Victoria~
We are so very sorry to hear of Ryan's passing and send you our deepest sympathies. We cannot imagine what you are going through at this difficult time. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask! You'all are in our thoughts and prayers!

Much Love, James & Shelley Pridgen

Posted by: James & Shelley Pridgen at August 26, 2007 10:47 AM

Rose,
We are so saddend to hear about Ryan. We can't imagine what you are going through right now but know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Ryan has gone home to be with God and will never suffer any pain and he will always be in our hearts. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Posted by: Tom and Kathy Willis at August 26, 2007 09:56 AM

Rose, Max and Jessica,

We are very saddened to hear about your loss of Ryan. Our hearts are breaking for you and you are continuously in our hearts and prayers.

Erica and Jay Smith

Posted by: Erica and Jay Smith at August 26, 2007 09:26 AM

Max and Rose,
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. May God give you strength to bear this terrible burden he has laid upon you. I will be sending a check to Ryan's Reward Fund. May you find peace and justice though nothing can make up for your loss. Maxene

Posted by: Maxene Renner at August 25, 2007 06:42 PM

Gina and I send our deepest condolences. We are continously thinking about you. We will miss Ryan and will always remember him in our thoughts and prayers each day as well as everyone in the family. God bless you and help you through these tough times.

Posted by: Matt Matko & Gina Cordisco at August 25, 2007 02:26 PM

Dear Max and Rose,

We are very saddened by the news about Ryan and extend our deepest sympathy. Marty and Matthew also send their sympathies. In lieu of flowers, as you have requested, we are sending a contribution to Ryan's Reward Fund. You are in our thoughts and we pray God comforts you at this very sad time.

Marty and Sallie Matko

Posted by: Marty and Sallie Matko at August 25, 2007 01:27 PM