Matthew K. Ware, aged 28, of Grand Rapids, went to heaven on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 after a defiant three year battle with brain cancer. Matt was a 1997 graduate of East Kentwood High School and went on to receive an engineering degree from Kettering University. While attending Kettering, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was employed by Monroe LLC as a Project Engineer. Matt will be remembered for his great love of children, his ability to relate to people from all walks of life, his wicked sense of humor, his stubbornness, his keen intelligence, his strong work ethic and his deep Christian faith. Matt gently worked his way into the hearts of all who met him and was especially committed to encouraging other cancer patients. He is survived by his parents, Mitch and Lori; brothers, Dan, Tim and Scott; grandparents, Betty Ware, Loretta and Harry Sanborn; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and an extended family of friends, coworkers, neighbors and caregivers. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Lonnie Ware and Donley Hunt; and cousin, Amy Lynch. A Celebration of Life for Matt will be held Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Madison Square Christian Reformed Church, 1441 Madison SE with Pastor David Beelen officiating. Interment at Rest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive relatives and friends at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Kentwood), 4646 Kalamazoo SE, Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The family requests memorial contributions may be made to the Matt Ware Benevolent Trust at Chase Bank, 6261 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood 49508 or Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods. Condolences may be sent online at mkdfuneralhome.com. Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf

Source:  Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) – Thursday, May 10, 2007