Matthew F. Martin

Matthew F. Martin, 52, of Granger, Indiana, passed away on September 25, 2024, from natural causes.

He was born on December 12, 1971, to Frank and Diana Martin in Warren, Ohio. As the first-born grandchild of both families, he immediately won everyone's hearts.

Matt attended Lakeview High School in Cortland, Ohio, Class of 1990, and was a proud Eagle Scout. He also received his industrial engineering degree from Youngstown State University in 1994.

Starting his career as an industrial engineering career, Matt worked at Hubbell–Raco in South Bend, IN. He transitioned through various engineering roles to become VP of Operations for Hubbell Commercial Construction divisions, overseeing four union manufacturing facilities and eight distribution centers across multiple states and countries. Matt's innovation and leadership helped the teams build safe, productive, quality products used worldwide in the electrical and commercial industries. Matt then moved into the position of Director of Operations at Reschcor, where he led a team of engineers, quality, manufacturing, and warehouse experts producing various plastic extrusion products. He was respected and appreciated throughout his career for his kind nature and unwavering support. He was dedicated to the people he worked with and always accessible when needed. He could often be found as head cook on any company picnic, the go-to "fix-it" when things weren't working, and even on the shop floor working with the teams to get lines operating. He poured his heart into everything he did and appreciated all those who worked alongside him.

From the time Matt was a small child, he loved cars, innovation, and space and carried that love into adulthood. He was always wise beyond his years, as he stood in between the bucket seats as a toddler telling his mom how to learn to drive and had a play office in a cardboard box in the living room running what we assume was a large corporation. Matt was a born leader. He loved his "Grandpa that lived with us" and spent hours winning every game of checkers. 

Matt loved being a big brother to his sister, Jenny, and later to two age-gap siblings who annoyed him, looked up to him, and copied his life choices. He was everyone's support system, truly selfless, giving, compassionate, loving, and willing to help. He showed his love by moonlighting as everyone's Tech Support, especially for his parents.

Matt became a stepfather at a young age and took on a hardheaded child with open arms, patience, and barrels of love. Determined, patient, and kind, the same way he approached everything in life. He continued with this same passion as a grandfather (the best Papa) later in life. He always took care of family and friends, never missed a performance or event, and was the first call whenever anybody needed anything. Sharing his love of all things space with his grandchildren on late-night adventures to Michigan to look at the stars. He didn't waste a single moment living. Matt passed on a wealth of knowledge to anyone who met him. He was a child at heart and never lost his spirit or sense of adventure.

Matt was an avid concertgoer and world traveler—the man who knew everything. His passion for music spanned many genres, and he preferred to listen to it live with loved ones in unique venues. Among his favorites were Jack White at Masonic Temple & Saint Andrew's Hall, Andrew McMahon at Chicago House of Blues, Muse, The Stones, and many more performances.

Matt had a passion for traveling and experiencing other areas and cultures. He would immerse himself in learning about the various locations, people, and traditions and always enjoyed trying new things. One of his most memorable experiences was traveling to Iceland for his 50th birthday, where he learned to take professional-like photos of the Aurora lights, walking the tectonic plate separation at Thingvellir National Park, and explore an active volcano site during Icelandic winter. Another was related to his devotion to space and exploration when he traveled down to SpaceX Starbase in TX and took a helicopter trip around the Starbase area, viewing all the rocket ship boosters and Starship launch pad.

Matt's love of cars has never wavered since he was a young boy collecting matchbox cars. He enjoyed learning and working on vehicles and was particularly drawn to cars built for speed and agility. It is no wonder the Tesla fleet captured his curiosity, which turned into devotion after purchasing his first Tesla, a Model S, and then later was in one of the first rounds to acquire his Tesla Foundation Cybertruck. He looked forward to traveling, off-roading, and attending Tesla events with his family, where he could test out Beast mode speeds and take the cars onto the racetrack. He always enjoyed taking others on the Tesla electric car experience, providing knowledge on their functionality, and most importantly, taking every chance possible to trigger beast mode surprises for his loved ones.

Matt loved dogs and had several over his lifetime, as well as taking care of other family dogs. He was the dog whisperer and always knew what was needed. He could often be found bringing each of them some of their favorite toys. His deepest connection was with Miss Chatty, who also passed this year. His love and care for her could be seen in everything he did with her.

Throughout his life, his most profound love and devotion was always his family. Matt was there for any of them whenever needed and found great joy in having memorable experiences with them. He was the go-to person to listen, support, advise, and often encourage them to pursue their passions and talents.  He was their biggest supporter and the first to promote or gobble up their works.  He would always find a way to make it happen if they needed to learn or try anything. He was also a devoted friend and neighbor. He had friendships that spanned all walks of life. He could often be found helping others with a task or taking care of anything they needed.  Matt's personality was larger than life and was taken too soon. He will be forever loved and missed. 

Matt is survived by Jamian Oleson (fiancé), Fallon Penrod (stepdaughter), Gavin, Gracie, and Evelyn Oleson (fiancé's children), Klarke and Rowan Penrod (grandchildren), Frank and Diana Martin (parents), Ethan (Brittany) Martin (brother), Halley (Brian) Cole (sister), Alexis and Aurora Cole (nieces); also several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by Jennifer Martin (sister), William and Mariam Downing (maternal grandparents), Frank and Mildred Marlen Martin (paternal grandparents), Bill Downing (uncle), Terry Downing (uncle), and Barbra Downing (aunt).

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Indiana and Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Matt's name may be made to any of the following foundations close to him and his family.

Ronald McDonald House Charities - https://rmhc.org/donate

Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research Alliance - https://carragroup.org/

American Heart Association - https://www.heart.org/

American Cancer Society - https://www.cancer.org/

Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with his care.

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