Matthew Elder

Matthew Henderson Elder, 39, of McDowell, passed away on March 31, 2007 at the University of Virginia Medical Center as a result of Cancer.

He was born May 7, 1967 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Matthew was a 1985 Graduate of Grafton High School, Grafton, WV. and a graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Agriculture.  Matthew was a successful turkey, cattle, and sheep farmer and also was an Insurance agent for the Virginia Farm Bureau in Monterey, VA.

He is survived by the love of his life, Connie Ann of McDowell; his parents, Paul and Nellie Elder of Grafton, WV; a brother, Paul Elder, II of Grafton, WV; a sister and brother-in-law, Amy and Rod Summers and their children, Sarah, Molly and Zac all of Flemington, WV.; Uncles and Aunts, David and Janet Elder and Patty Bundy all of Barrackville, WV., Peggy Cianfrocca of Jacksonville, FL., Fred Pica of Fairmont, WV., Sarah and Dorsey Cheuvront of Parkersburg, WV., Betty and Jim Tennent of Sunset Beach, NC., Sharon and Mike Graziano of Ravensworth, WV.,  Nancy and Emory Elkins of Kingwood, WV.; a maternal grandmother, Ruth Steinbeck of Grafton, WV.  In addition to his many cousins, Matthew had many wonderful friends.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Funeral services will be conducted 11am, Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at the Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell, VA, by the Rev. Beth Pyles. Active pallbearers will be Lanny Wimer, Scott Rightsell, Rob Withers, Tracy Clary, Pete Runyan and Richie Cunningham.  Interment will follow in the McDowell Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to McDowell Volunteer Fire Company, c/o Delbert Rexrode, 527 Windrush Lane, Doe Hill, VA 24433 or Highland County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 268, Monterey, VA 24465.