Matthew Roach

As family and friends will certainly attest, Matthew Roach could bring a smile to anyone’s face. He was known for his infectious joy, and he never let challenges push him down. Nothing made Matt happier than spending time with his loved ones. His insatiable zest for life could be felt by all those around him, and he exemplified what it meant to truly live in the moment. Deeply loved, Matt will be forever missed and ever cherished.

Matt’s story began with his parents, Steve and Yong Cha. The two first met while Steve was serving in Korea on his second tour with the United States Army. He met the beautiful Yong Cha, and the two quickly fell in love. They enjoyed a short courtship before getting married in the U.S. Embassy on October 1, 1992, eager to spend the rest of their lives together. Steve and Yong Cha suffered through five miscarriages before they discovered they were expecting their son. They soon learned that their baby would have Down Syndrome. It was a difficult diagnosis to accept, but Steve and Yong Cha had no way of knowing that their son would end up becoming a bigger blessing than they could have imagined. On May 12, 1999, they welcomed Matthew into their hearts and home in Illinois.

Growing up, Matthew was far from a typical child, but it was clear to see that he truly loved everything life had to offer from a young age. Though he didn’t speak much, he was a very active boy. Matthew had to endure many health struggles throughout his childhood. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Illinois became his second home, where the nurses and staff knew him well. On December 7, 2007, Matt suffered a stroke, which was a devastating setback for him and his family. However, he wasn’t giving up, and his fight wasn’t over. Matthew’s parents went above and beyond to care for him. He would spend months out of the year in the hospital receiving treatment for his chronic lung disease, and he had a trach. They blended his food and took turns helping him eat and sleeping with him. Matthew’s mother, Yong Cha, considered caring for her son to be her full-time job, one she did with joy and compassion.

Matt loved to be active whenever he could. He enjoyed playing in the water and in the sand in the Upper Peninsula, even though his trach could make that difficult. Matt liked taking trips outside in his wheelchair, and sometimes, he would stand up to walk in Meijer. His father, Steve, traveled for his job, and they would often travel as a family, helping Matthew take in the world around him. Whenever Steve came home from a work trip, Matthew gave him the best welcome home gift—a hug. While in Illinois, Matt was crowned prom king. He was in the hospital at the time, and his nurses decorated his room and made the occasion special. In 2020, the Roach family settled down in Paw Paw. They loved the neighborhood and small-town feel. During the past four years, the Roach's neighbors were simply the best - loving, kind and supportive - their love has been felt.

Throughout his life, Matt always looked forward to school and learning. He attended Laremont School in Illinois until the family moved back home to Michigan in 2020 then at Bert Goens Learning Center in Lawrence, and he loved every second of it. Matthew had a deep respect for the military, always saluting its members, and he liked going to parades. He was big on shaking hands. Matthew enjoyed watching Sesame Street, The Wiggles, and Thomas the Tank Engine. He was fascinated by trains and would watch videos of trains on YouTube for hours with his father. Matt was thrilled to ride the miniature train in Wisconsin Dells. His favorite color was blue, and he loved dinosaurs and trucks. Though he was mostly nonverbal, Matthew never let that stop him from communicating with others. He spoke with his eyes, and strangers would often come up to talk to him. People were drawn in by his genuine and sweet nature. Matthew had his moments of frustration, but he was so full of love and didn’t have a mean bone in his body.

When reflecting on the life of Matthew John Roach, it is easy to think of both his unwavering strength and his endless love for his family. His smile was catching, and he was always full of sunshine. A beloved son, nephew, cousin, and friend, Matt was treasured by his family. He tackled obstacles with a spirit of determination, and he radiated love and happiness in everything he did. Though he will be dearly missed, Matt’s memory will be carried on by those who knew him best. Sadly, on Sunday November 10, 2024, Matthew John Roach passed away peacefully at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Please join us at a Life Story Visitation on Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 5-7pm at Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, 60900 M-40, Paw Paw (269) 657-3870. A Celebration of Life will be celebrated Friday, November 15, 2024 10am at the funeral home. Matthew will be buried near the family home at Harwick Cemetery, Paw Paw. A lunch will follow the burial back at the funeral home. Celebrate Matthew's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Bert Goens Learning Center.