Matthew Garrett Pierce, the son of R. Stephen and Deona Lee (Gibson) Pierce, was born August 30, 1973, in Florissant, Missouri. Matt graduated from Rock Port High School, Rock Port, Missouri, in 1991 and attended Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, Missouri. He later was enrolled online with Liberty University, studying physical education.

In March of 2019, Matt was introduced to Shelley Inman of Hamburg, Iowa. Shelley became his life partner as well as care giver when Matt found out he had cancer. Matt passed away unexpectedly Saturday, September 24, 2022, at his home in Hamburg, at the age of 49.

Matt was formerly employed as a manager at McDonald’s in Rock Port and janitor for Kawasaki in Maryville, Missouri. He was also formerly employed by the City of St. Joseph, doing lawn care and most recently as a cashier at Pilot Truck Stop, Percival, Iowa.

Matt was a member of the United Methodist Church, Hamburg, and former member of Metro Umpires KC, umpiring baseball in the Midwest. Matt was the biggest Pittsburgh Steelers fan and loved his pups, Bocha Matthew and Marbles Andrew. Most of all, Matt loved his family. He was “Papa” to Shelley’s children and grandchildren.

Besides his parents, Matt was preceded in death by sister, Stephanie Rose Erdman. Survivors include Shelley Inman and Shelley’s mother, Deanna Clark, of their home in Hamburg; siblings, Mike Pierce, Rock Port, Steve (Nicole) Pierce, Kansas City, Missouri, Brian Pierce, Missouri; best friend and nephew, James Pierce (Julie Dankof), Rock Port; numerous other nieces and nephews; Shelley’s daughter and grandchildren, Andrea Dawn (Lee) Terwilliger, Exira, Iowa, Bella, Chloe, Ryker, Genevieve and Hayes; Shelley’s brother, Mike Clark, Sidney Iowa; and friend, Mary Cook (who called Matt “Dough Boy” and Matt called her “Little Goat”).

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, prior to the service. Cremation will take place following the funeral service. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Hunter Cemetery, Rock Port. Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice. Services are under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port. Online obituaries and condolences can be found at www.minterfuneralchapels.com