Matthew Alan Gfeller

""Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."" (Matthew 5:8) Matthew Alan Gfeller of Winston-Salem, North Carolina was called home to heaven on Sunday, August 24, 2008. God blessed the Gfeller family with Matthew on March 14, 1993, in Winston-Salem, N.C. He graduated from Summit School in Winston-Salem in May and was enrolled as a sophomore at Reynolds High School. Matthew earned his Eagle Scout rank from Troop 920 on May 19, 2008. Matthew means ""a gift from God"" and he truly had a special gift for reaching out to people who really needed him. His sensitive and kind heart were ever present to all those who knew and loved him. Matthew loved football, roller coasters, fishing, traveling and being with his friends. He also developed a talent for singing and acting at Summit School in his roles as Buffalo Bill in Annie Get your Gun and Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie. For those of you who knew him well, he loved to talk about great food, football and vacations. Matthew is survived by his parents, Robert and Lisa Gfeller; brother, Robert John Gfeller III, sister, Haley Ann Gfeller; grandparents Dr. and Mrs. Robert J. Gfeller of West Hartford, Connecticut; Laura Frances (Mimi) Young of Winston-Salem; and Dr. and Mrs. Larry Ivan Young of Claremore, Oklahoma; great-grandmother Pauline Young of Durant, Oklahoma; aunts and uncles Dr. Debra Ann Gfeller Giaimo and her husband, Michael, of Sherborn, Massachusetts; Charles F. Gfeller and his wife, Alena, of West Hartford, Connecticut; Jay Alan Young and his wife, Lindsay, of Frisco, Texas; and Julie Ann King and her husband, Matt, of Charlottesville, Virginia; Jo-Anne Gramaglia of Scarsdale, New York and John Gfeller and his wife, Lorraine, of Fairfield, Connecticut, Kay Williams and husband, Mike, of Durant, Oklahoma and Robert Young and his wife, Pam, of Edmond, Oklahoma; cousins Cara, Victoria and Marissa Giaimo; Charles, Luke and Nancy Gfeller; Lindsay King; and Ivan Young. Matthew was brave, kind and sweet, and he will be dearly missed by his mom and dad and his wonderful brother and sister, Robbie and Haley, his special grandmother, Mimi and so many family members and friends. The family would like to extend their profound gratitude for the love, support and prayers they have received from so many dear friends and the entire community during this time of overwhelming grief. We would like to express a special thanks to the coaching staff and players of the Reynolds High School football team for helping Matthew to reach his football goals. He was so very proud to be a Reynolds Demon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Matthew's honor to the Winston-Salem Foundation, 860 West Fifth St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101,for the Matthew Alan Gfeller Memorial Fund. Future grants will be designated by the family. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons. Internment will be private.

Memorials:
Winston-Salem Foundation, 860 West Fifth St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101,for the Matthew Alan Gfeller Memorial Fund

Service:
Service at 04:00pm on August 27, 2008 at Holy Family Catholic Church