Matthew James Johnson Obituary (1975 - 2013)

Matthew James Johnson 37, of Dalton City, IL passed away at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, January 24, 2013 in Charleston, IL. A service to celebrate Matthew's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 31, 2013 at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion. He will be laid to rest in the Mt. Zion Township Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation beginning at 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Bethany American Legion Post or the Dalton City American Legion Post. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com. Matthew was born May 2, 1975 in Decatur, the son of Robert L. and Cheryl Ann (Kinney) Johnson. He most recently was pursuing a bachelor's degree in business from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. He formerly worked for Richland Community College in Decatur. He also had a passion for being an entrepreneur. Matt owned and operated Legacy Entertainment. He had a love for all types of music. His nephews and nieces meant the world to him. Matt had big dreams but even a bigger heart. Twenty years ago Matt was paralyzed in a tumbling accident. Since that accident, he never let the wheelchair define his life. Matt did not have a disability in his eyes. Matt's life had no boundaries. He touched many people's lives with his determination and insatiable love of life. He was always able to make light of any situation. It was Matt's positive attitude that got him so far. He was able to make your day with his contagious smile. Anyone and everyone who were fortunate enough to have encountered Matt will forever have many memories to remind them to make the most of their life given any situation. Surviving is his mother: Cheryl Johnson of Dalton City; brother: Chad Johnson and his wife Suzanne of Bethany; sister: Jill Johnson of Dalton City; nephews: Alex Corrington and Cody Corrington; nieces: Delaney Johnson, Zoe Johnson, and Lyleigh Waller; great nephew Kobe Drake Corrington; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends also survive. He was joined in heaven with his Dad.