Matthew Stephens

MATT STEPHENS RIGBY, ID -- Matthew Ryan "Matt" Stephens, 24, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away September 4, 2006, in Logan, Utah. He was born October 22, 1981, in Tooele, Utah, to Michael M. Stephens and Wreatha Lynn Virgin Stephens. He grew up in Idaho Falls and graduated from Skyline High School. He was a student at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed reading, karate, and hiking. Surviving are: His Parents: Mike & Wreatha Stephens of Rigby, ID Sister: Stephanie Jones Sister: Micalyn Stephens Grandmother: Fern Virgin of Rexburg, ID Great Grandmother: Margie Stephens of Bristol, VA He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Wendell Virgin, and Garnett "Steve" Stephens and Marie Stephens. Graveside Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 8, 2006, at the Teton-Newdale Cemetery with Bishop Todd Johnson of the Idaho Falls LDS 13th Ward officiating. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, Idaho Falls. ----------------------------------------- Condolences sent online: Andrea Nielsen (Worle) nielsenad@msn.com I never know what to say, or if there is anything to say that would even comfort you. But I do want you to know that I love you and that I love Matt. My heart and prayers go out to you at this difficult time. Lisa Pardonnet Mike: You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Lisa Jerry Wixom Dear Mike & Wreatha, I regret that I wasn't able to express my sense of bereavement with you personally at the funeral home. While I cannot share the depth of your burden at this time, I want you to know that I am thinking about you and your family as you pass through the shadows of this moment. I pray that the Providential hand will be stretched forth in your behalf to heal the tender feelings of your hearts in the days, weeks and months ahead. The blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ is that he anoints all, wounded by life's unexpected vicissitudes and untoward events, with the oil of healing and places us in the care of loving family and friends. With my deepest sympathy, Jerry L Wixon Paul & Linda Dowding & Family To our dear friends Mike, Wreatha, Stephanie & Micalyn, Our hearts are with you although we are far away at this time. Matt will leave an empty space in your family---yet we know that the eternal link is there. That brings some hope with the pain you feel. We love you dearly and wish we were there with you. You are in our prayers. Love, Paul, Linda, Tambri, Rachel, Annie, Michelle, Jessica, Rebecca & Nathan Shiloh Lloyd slloyd@cc.usu.edu Matt was a wonderful friend. I was his home teaching companion and loved serving with him. I will miss waving to him through the window of the bakery on campus. May the Lord's blessing be with your family at this tough time. Jerald Barbre barbrej@id.doe.gov I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers for your son, you and your family are with you all at this time. God Bless You All, Jerald Barbre Patricia Alexander-Johnson alexanpa@id.doe.gov Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved son. May God Bless you and your family now and forever. Pat Kevin & Lisa Fry & Family knlfry@msn.com I am so sorry to hear about your loss, just know that he is in a better place now and is watching over your family. If you ever need anything please do not hesitate to call. 523-9117 Sincerely, The Fry Family - 13th Ward Pam Waagen waagenpl@id.doe.gov Oh Mike, I was so upset when I heard the news today. I'm so deeply sorry. I can't imagine the pain you and your wife must be feeling at this time. My heart goes out to you both. You have my sincere sympathy. I'm sorry I wasn't able to come to the viewing, I don't take the newspaper and didn't know about this until this morning (Friday). I can't find an address for the Teton-Newdale cemetery so I won't be able to attend the funeral. Everyone here in budget feels terrible about your loss. My heart goes out to you. Pam Jeff Shadley I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and may God bless you. Shanna Avila geodata1@msn.com Dear Stephens Family, Our hearts and sympathy go out to you. We live in the same house as Matt, directly above him. He was a wonderful, wonderful person, and we're so glad to have known him! We always looked forward to seeing his smiling face. He was so kind to us, and to our other neighbors. A couple of weeks ago one of our neighbors came looking for my husband to ask him for some help moving some bushes out of a truck (she's a single lady and it was too hard a job for her to do). My husband wasn't home, but just then Matt came home, so she asked him if he could help her. Although he didn't know her, he willingly left whatever he had planned (I later found out that he did have some plans with his girlfriend, but he called her and told her he would be late) and went right over to help her (and it was hard work!). She was so thankful and so impressed by him, she told me so later, when she saw me). Matt was truly a Christ-centered person and showed that in how he lived his life, and in how he treated others. Last Monday, when our landlord went inside Matt's apartment for the first time since his death, he saw Matt's scriptures sitting out on his table, they must have been an important part of his life. We are so sad about his death and will miss him very much. We've only known him for a year, but in that short amount of time he made a big impact in our lives. We've been praying for you, and will continue to do so. Please let us know if we can help you in any way (I've included my e-mail address so you can contact me if you would like to). Sincerely, Shanna Avila Katherine Blackburn blackbk@id.doe.gov Mike, We miss you here at DOE since your retirement. I am so sorry about your loss and my thoughts are with you and your family. KIm and Susan Sorensen, Rigby, ID susansorensen@hotmail.com We are so sorry for the loss of your son. We know simple words do not help much but you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We all feel loss when friends lose. May our Heavenly Father help you in your sorrow. Karan Reynolds Mike, As your friend I wish there was something I could do to ease the pain and sorrow for you and your family. I know that the pain of this time is overwhelming. But, I hope in some small way knowing that you have friends that are leeping you in their prayers and hearts will comfort you. Sincerely, Karan Reynolds Mark Searle The gospel provides great hope to all of us. The Savior is our advocate, and He will do all He has promised to bring peace in our lives as we merit it. Our prayers go out to the family at this difficult time. Continue to reflect upon the good memories and allow the the Savior's peace to heal you in time. Maureen Vernon modonjk@ida.net Micalyn, Wreatha, and Mike, I was so sad to hear about Matt! My prayers and thoughts are with you all at this time. Bill and Penny Bagley bagley@pcu.net Mr and Mrs Stephens, We just wanted to let you know how sorry we are for the loss of your son. Matt was a good renter and we appreciated his friendship and courtesy to us as landlords. Matt was well liked by the other tenants and neighbors who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Bill and Penny Bagley Logan, Utah Kendall and Cheryl Kincaid akincaid@cableone.net Mike and Wreatha, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you and your family during this time of mourning. Sincerely, The Kincaid’s Mike Schofield schofiml@gmail.com Dear Mike Stephens and Family: Please accept my condolence at your son's passing. My eyes filled with tears when I heard the news. Mike, I hope to see you again and share happy memories about your son. We go to the Teton Cemetery every Memorial Day to visit loved ones there, and will look for Matt, too Midge Vivian To the Stephens Family - I just returned from a business trip and heard of your sad news. I am so sorry for your loss and wish that things were different. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Midge & George Vivian O. L. & Rhea Jones [eldersisterjones@yahoo.com] Dear Mike, Wreatha, Stephanie & Michael, and Micalyn, It is so hard being here in Kentucky when our hearts are back in Idaho breaking with yours. There are no words to adequately express our great sorrow for your loss. Please know you are in our prayers. We pray that the peace and comfort promised through the Lord will fill your hearts and that the pain you feel will be eased by the Great Comforter. Love, Larry & Rhea