Matthew John Zipfel, 59, of Belleville, Ill., born on Aug. 31, 1960, in East St. Louis, Ill., and died on Aug. 31, 2019, at his residence in Swansea. Matt retired in January 2017 after teaching junior high science at Signal Hill School for 35 years. He was the sponsor of the Signal Hill Science Club and a longtime baseball and basketball coach.
Matt earned a B.S. at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in health and science education in 1984 and a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He played baseball on scholarship at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill., for two years. He later transferred to SIUE and played for the Cougars. He lettered in football and baseball at Belleville Township High School West and played baseball for the American Legion Belleville Hilgards Post 58 and the Mon-Clair Baseball League. He enjoyed slo-pitch softball, boxing, hiking and other outdoor pursuits.
Early in his teaching career, he received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award (Crystal Apple). In January, Belleville West honored him with a Coaching Legend Award, which annually recognizes an outstanding coach at a feeder school.
Matt made an unforgettable impression on everyone who knew him. He enjoyed making people laugh. He loved his dogs, raising Siberian Huskies for many years.
Outdoors or in the classroom, that’s where he shined brightest. He was dedicated to making learning fun for his students and helped them realize their potential and understand the bigger world. He gave of his best self, and helped others find theirs.
He worked hard to be the kind of inspiring teacher that creates a lasting impact in young people’s lives. He did so with customary wit, know-how, enthusiasm, inventiveness, hands-on approaches, and incredible hard work.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Brother: Mike Zipfel
- Nephew: Timothy Venhaus
- Mother: Rosemary Zipfel
- Maternal grandparents: Eleanor and Lorraine Charles Zierrath Sr.
He is survived by his:
- Sisters
- Lynn Venhaus of St. Louis
- Julie (Dean) Modde of Ft. Mill, S.C.
- Mary Clare (Ken) Gastro of Woodland Hills, Calif.
- Nephews
- Charlie (Maria Gencev) Venhaus of Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Tommy (Sabrina) Davis of St. Louis
- Patrick (Abby Nestor) Davis of St. Louis
- Nick Gastro of Los Angeles
- Niece: Abbey (Kasra) Jarrahi of Los Angeles
- Great nephew: Enzo Jarrahi of Los Angeles
- Uncle: Lorraine Charles Zierrath Jr. of Belleville
- Aunt and uncle: Judy and Edward DeFrias of Portsmouth, N.H.
- First cousins
- Diane (Jim) Homet of Portsmouth, N.H.
- Debra (Bill) Vien of Williston Vermont
- Susan Fonner of San Diego
- John (Jennifer) DeFrias of Manchester, N.H.
- Many other cousins
Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Multiple System Atrophy Coalition, 9935-D Rea Road, #212, Charlotte, NC 28277 and given at the funeral home or online at https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/msa-donation/
Services: A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL. Designated eulogy’s will start at 4pm with visitation continuing after eulogy’s.
Matt requested his body to be donated to Science.
27 Comments To "Matthew John Zipfel"
#1 Comment By Chuck Lugge On September 5, 2019 @ 8:21 am
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Zipfel and Signal Hill families. Matt was a brother not only to his sisters, but to many in the west end of Belleville. He was a shining example of the quality human being that pursue the career of teaching and coaching. It’s never about the awards or the trophies, it’s about modeling for young people how to live your life. In Matt’s case, he also showed us older people how to tackle adversity with your humor intact. Our community was made a better place because of Matt.
#2 Comment By Lynn Venhaus On September 5, 2019 @ 12:44 pm
Thank you Chuck. And thank you for your kindness in organizing the Coaching Legend Award. He was truly honored. And to see some of this former students win the game and the state championship was fun for him.
He was one of a kind.
His big sister, Lynn Venhaus
#3 Comment By Kim Bailey On September 5, 2019 @ 6:08 pm
Think of you Julie and your family. Many hugs and prayers.
Love Kim and Scott.
#4 Comment By Julie On September 28, 2019 @ 4:50 am
Thank you Kim and Scott! Love ya
#5 Comment By Katrina Owyns On September 5, 2019 @ 1:09 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Zipfel’s passing. I had a rough time in my younger years and moved to school after school. Having Mr. Zipfel as a teacher at Signal Hill was awesome. He made me feel welcome and safe and promoted my love and fascination of living creatures. He had a way of making lessons fun. I don’t remember every teacher I’ve ever had, but Mr. Zipfel I always will. My condolences to his family. Rest In Peace Mr.Zipfel you were still so young.
#6 Comment By Duane Casson On September 5, 2019 @ 2:02 pm
May you rest in peace, my childhood friend!
#7 Comment By jeff marifian On September 5, 2019 @ 2:48 pm
I had the pleasure of being a teammate of Matt from 4th grade through high school. A great player and an even better friend . Although separated by distance, it was always as if we saw each other regularly. He fought the good fight and I’m glad he no longer will suffer. Matt didn’t deserve this fate, but always had a smile on his face. I’ll miss you buddy!!
#8 Comment By Jen Tinner On September 5, 2019 @ 6:27 pm
His smile and rosey cheeks will never be forgotten!! May he rest in sweet peace with our Lord
Jenny Wilkinson Miller Tinner
#9 Comment By Ed Jurak On September 5, 2019 @ 8:47 pm
Life separates people as years pass along but not the memories made. We played baseball and football together in youth through high school – only great times. prayers to the family.
#10 Comment By Kirsten Peterson On September 5, 2019 @ 9:13 pm
Rest in peace Mr Zipfel! Thank you for teaching my children the love of Science at SHS! You are missed!!!
#11 Comment By Janet M. Cullen-Shearrer On September 5, 2019 @ 10:01 pm
I knew Matt in high school, but really got to know him when we were in Cindy and Dave’s wedding. We all hung out several years after that. He was one of the most funniest and goofy guys I knew. He will truly be missed by all and his passing just breaks my heart! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. May God speed the healing process! ???
#12 Comment By Melissa Lohrmann On September 6, 2019 @ 8:19 am
Julie, I am sorry I never met your brother. He sounds like an amazing human being who impacted so many lives. Know I am thinking of you and your family during this very difficult time.
#13 Comment By Julie On September 28, 2019 @ 4:53 am
Thank you Melissa! You would have loved him!
#14 Comment By Paul Snook On September 6, 2019 @ 8:36 am
Matt was never about himself; he authentically cared about others. He was a great classmate and teammate, and an even better person. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
#15 Comment By Asad Kizilbash On September 6, 2019 @ 8:49 am
He was a wonderful person and a great teacher. Actually my kids loved him and he was their very favorite teacher.
My deepest condolences to all his loved ones.
May He Rest In Peace!
Kizilbash Family
#16 Comment By Maresa E. Wilson On September 7, 2019 @ 12:01 pm
My prayers and thoughts are with the whole family. May Matt Rest In Peace. From an old Signal Hill friend.
Maresa Eghigian Wilson
#17 Comment By Tootie Tiernan Streif On September 9, 2019 @ 6:47 pm
My sincere condolences to all of Matt’s family.
#18 Comment By Kattie On September 10, 2019 @ 7:12 am
Rest in peace, Mr. Z. We loved and appreciated you. You were a great teacher and person. Our girls adored you.
The Goodwin Family
#19 Comment By Alan Brainerd On September 11, 2019 @ 1:52 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Matt’s passing. He was always kind to me in grade school and high school when others were not…He had a kind heart and was an example of integrity and respect…May he Rest In Peace.
#20 Comment By Hunter Husar On September 12, 2019 @ 9:25 am
Condolences, Matt was an inspiring teacher at Signal Hill and is forever in my heart for inspiring me to pursue science but more importantly to find the joy in learning.
#21 Comment By Judy Tzinberg Reynolds On September 15, 2019 @ 9:19 pm
My deepest sympathies to Matt’s family. My grade school memories of him are warm and funny, and I think he ALWAYS had a smile on his face. So very sorry for your loss.
#22 Comment By John Brennan On September 16, 2019 @ 10:43 am
I new the whole family growing up in the west end. We played a lot of sandlot/competitive sports in the area. He was a great baseball player. God speed Matt, pull some strings upstairs for the Cardinals ,
#23 Comment By Julie On September 28, 2019 @ 4:56 am
Those were the days John! What great memories we all had at Brennan’s lot especially Mike and Matt! They’re playing catch now together again!
Julie
#24 Comment By Robert Jones On September 17, 2019 @ 10:43 am
Matt was a prince of a human being. Always a kind word. He will be missed. I am sorry I was out of town for his service. Peace to the family and dear friends.
#25 Comment By Julie On September 28, 2019 @ 5:03 am
Thank you
Our brother was one of a kind!
Julie
#26 Comment By Julie On September 28, 2019 @ 5:00 am
Thank you
We loved our goofy brother lots!
Julie
#27 Comment By Phil Cohn On August 1, 2020 @ 8:08 am
Rest peace Matt. You were a genuine and kind person. A good soul.