Matthew Skriba

It is with great sadness that the family of Matthew Jon Skriba announces his unexpected passing from complications of diabetes on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the age of 39.

Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI on Friday, March 23, 2018 from 5-8 P.M. with a Rosary being prayed at 7:00 P.M.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI, on Saturday, March 24, 2018  at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI.

Matt was born on December 27, 1978 to Robert and Charlene Skriba, their fourth and youngest child.  He spent his childhood in Elsie and worked on the family dairy farm, Skriba Farms. In his youth, Matt enjoyed spending time with family, including his Ladiski cousins and the Starn Family.  Matt was a graduate of the class of 1997 from Ovid-Elsie High School.  He made many lifelong friends from his days at OE.  Following high school, he went on to attend Michigan State University, and graduated a Spartan with the class of 2002 from the College of Engineering, with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.  Thereafter, he pursued a career in software engineering, working for various companies.  Anyone who had known Matt, knew that he was extremely competitive, especially in sports.  He enjoyed playing basketball and golf.  He hosted the annual Skriba family golf scramble for many years.  Matt was an avid fan of Michigan State University, where he enjoyed cheering for the Spartans from the “Izzone” during college.  He also was a passionate Detroit Lions fan.  He traveled as far as the Czech Republic, Netherlands, Austria and Germany.  Matt was a lifelong practicing Catholic and enjoyed participating in the celebration of mass with his daughters.

Matt is survived by his daughters who were the joy of his life; Lauryn Skriba and Addelyn Skriba, by his father Robert and Helen Skriba, and his siblings: Bob and Judy Skriba, Gary and Laura Skriba, and Jennifer and Tom VerBeek, along with nieces Ashley and Kaia Lounds, and nephews Andrew Skriba (Rebecca), Dayton and Darrin Skriba, Tyler Skriba, Owen and Luke VerBeek and Gryphon Lounds.  Matt was preceded in death by his mother, Charlene (Arens) Skriba, and grandparents: Joseph and Jane Skriba, and Valerian and Marion Arens.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the education fund for the benefit of Matt’s children. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.