MATTHEW D. "MATT" MCELFRESH

Matthew D. "Matt" McElfresh, 30, of 1307 Emerald Drive, Quincy, died at 6:10 a.m. Sunday (May 31, 2009) at Blessing Hospital.

Born May 12, 1979 in Quincy, Matt was a son of Gary D. and Shelia A. Wubker McElfresh.

Matt was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. He was a 1997 graduate of Quincy High Shcool and attended John Wood Community College. Matt loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and the Fraternal Order of Police. He was also a member of the Adams County Sheriffs Department Police Benevolent and Protective Association of Illinois Unit 155. Matt received several achievements, including Deputy of the Year for Outstanding Public Service in 2006, Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service and DUI Enforcement in 2003 and also an Achievement Award in Recognition of Contributing to Highway Traffic Safety in 2004.

Matt had been employed as a Deputy Sheriff for the Adams County Sheriffs Department since 2001. He was an investigator for the West Central Illinois Drug Task Force from 2006 to 2008 and was currently an investigator for the Adams County Sheriffs Department. Matt's professional experience included basic SWAT Training, Clandestine Laboratory Certification, Illinois Officer Drug Certification, Juvenile Officer Certification and Breath and Alcohol Operator Certification.

He is survived by his parents, Gary and Shelia McElfresh of Quincy; one brother, Lucas "Luke" McElfresh of Quincy; his paternal grandparents Bill and Minnie McElfresh of Beardstown; and maternal grandmother, Bertha Wubker of Beardstown.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, John Wubker.

Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 10:00 in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Rev. Larry Troxel officiating. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and Thursday morning from 9:00 until the time of services at the church.

Memorials may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or to the Matthew McElfresh Scholarship Fund.