Matthew W. Gardner

Matthew W. Gardner, 25, of Dayton and formerly of Massillon, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, December 26, 2022 at his home from an undiagnosed illness.

He was born on August 26, 1997 in Akron and was the son of Todd and Susan Ritter Gardner of Massillon. Matthew was a 2016 graduate of Massillon Washington High School and received his Bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in 2021. While at OU, Matthew met Ruthie Keller, who was the love of his life. Following graduation, he started his working career as the Activities Director at the New Lebanon Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Matthew was a member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Massillon. In high school he was a member of the Tiger Swing Band, sang with the school choir and the Washingtonians Show Choir. At OU he sang with the Singing Men of Ohio (SMO), a university men’s chorus. Matthew loved spending time with his friends, rooting for his beloved Massillon Tigers and vacationing with his family to Cape Hatteras.

In addition to his parents and Ruthie, Matthew is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Ron (Carol) Gardner of Dalton; aunt, Julie (Rick) Mason of Dover; uncles, Terry (Pam) Gardner of Brook Park, Tim (Lisa) Gardner of Dalton, Mark Smith of Orrville; many cousins and numerous close friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Don and Barb Ritter.

A service celebrating Matthew’s life will be held on Wednesday, January 4th starting at 11:00 am in the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Massillon with Pastor Jeremiah Sargent officiating. Interment will be in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens at Massillon. The family will be greeting friends at the church on Tuesday from 5-8 pm and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. The Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory, Strasburg is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church at 3955 Wales Ave. NW, Massillon, Ohio 44646.