Matthew Riley Witten

Matthew Riley Witten, age 30, of Union, died Sunday, October 31, 2004 at his home in Union. A graveside service will be held on Friday, November 5, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Cemetery with Bishop Jerry Baxter conducting. A reception will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Union Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Viewing will be from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Matthew was born on January 8, 1974, the son of Irvin and Jacqueline (Carlyle) Witten in Portland, Oregon. The family later moved to Union where he attended schools before attending culinary school in Bellingham, Washington. He worked in a restaurant there before returning to Union. He worked at Mamacita's and The Hut and was presently working as a cook for the Flying J Travel Plaza.

Matthew was a huge hockey fan, especially the "Flyers" and the "Devils". He loved music and played the guitar and bass and wrote music. He also wrote poetry and liked movies, both old and new.

Survivors include his father, Irvin Witten; mother, Jacqueline Preston;
brothers, Andrew Witten and Benjamin Witten; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Tom Leonard; sister, LaRee Lang, all of Union; nephew, Jordan Leonard; uncles, R.W. Carlyle, Larry Witten, Dallas Jones and Robert Williams; aunts, Jennifer Jones, Gayle Carlyle, Linda Witten, Debbie Witten and Sandy Carlyle; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister, Katherine Witten in 1981.

In lieu of flowers the family request contributions be made to the Matthew Witten Memorial Fund in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.