Matthew T. Beckley

Matthew T. Beckley 33, died Thursday evening September 27, 2007 in Winter Haven, FL. He was born in Oregon Ohio to Thomas H and Jane E (Aspacher) Beckley.

He grew up in Fremont Ohio and attended Auntie Elmas Preschool, Lutz Elementary School and Fremont Jr. High before moving to Florida.

In Florida he attended Winter Haven High School and Polk Community College where he studied criminal justice. He served most of his police career in the motorcycle divisions at both the Winter Haven Police Department from 1996-2003 and Lakeland Police Department from 2003-2005. As an officer in Lakeland he received a couple of unit citations and was Number One in the Click it or Ticket Buckle up Florida campaign two years in a row. He also received the distinguished performance award Highest Statistic.

Matt was a Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast, a Civil War and WWII memorabilia collector, he loved to fish, spend time with his dogs (Toby, Hans I and Hans II) and access the internet, especially E-Bay, My Space and gaming.

He was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church in Helena, Ohio, during his childhood.

Matthew is survived by his mother, Jane Beckley of Fremont, grandmother, Phyllis Beckley of Winter Haven FL, aunts, uncles, and cousins in Florida, Ohio and Michigan.

He is preceded in death by his father Thomas H. Beckley, grandfather, Harold Beckley, and his grandparents Norma & Richard Keller.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 5, 2007 from 2-8:30 PM at the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Fremont. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at Shiloh United Methodist Church, Helena at 1:30 PM with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Fremont.

Memorial contributions are suggested to be made to "Matthew Thomas Beckley Memorial Music Program Fund" or to the "Matthew Thomas Beckley Memorial Law Enforcement Program Fund" C/O Terra College Foundation 2830 Napoleon Rd. Fremont, Ohio 43420; Shiloh United Methodist Church or to the family's choice.