Obituary of Matthew Bedford

Matthew Joseph Bedford, 64, of 201 Syracuse Road, Easley, South Carolina, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at St. Francis Hospital, Greenville, South Carolina, after a short battle with lung cancer. Mr. Bedford was born in Joliet, Illinois, devoted son of Donald Wesley "Wes" and Evelyn Tomsich Bedford, both of who have preceded him in death. He had lived in Goose Lake, where he served on the Board of the Goose Lake Association, where he was known and loved by many. Matt was employed by Caterpillar Tractor Company for over 30 years and as a Senior Quality Engineer, he had traveled the world. In 1996, his job with CAT took him to Clayton, North Carolina. Upon his retirement from CAT in 2001, he returned to Joliet to care for his parents. In 2004, he moved to Easley, South Carolina. He quickly fell in love with South Carolina and chose to make Easley his final resting place. Matt had a zest for living and was an avid fisherman, hunter, and gardener. He also enjoyed watching the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bears. He was a lifelong member of the Moran Athletic Club. Even though he no longer lived in Joliet, he had many friends that he stayed in touch with. He was a loving friend, companion, and father to his family and is survived by his partner in life, Wyllena "Willie" Bowen, of the home; a son Matthew J. Bedford, II and his wife, Brenda, of Quapaw, Oklahoma; a daughter, Andrea A. Bedford-Gerlach and her husband, Dr. Todd Gerlach, of Torrance, California; a brother, Dr. Donald E. Bedford and his wife, Judy, of Sparta, Illinois; three grandchildren, Matthew J. Bedford, III and Nicholas Moore, both of Quapaw, Oklahoma and Lacey Barham, of Sedan, Kansas; a great-grandchild, Crispen Barham, of Sedan, Kansas; a nephew, Donald Bedford and his wife, Laurie, and their children, Austin and Nicholas, all of Waterloo, Illinois. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, Illinois, on Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited to come and share photos and memories of Matthew. Memorials may be made to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, Illinois, 60431. Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or www.fredcdames.com. FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500