Matthew Robert Herline

Matthew Robert Herline, 66, of Muskegon, Mich., passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 23, 2023 in the presence of his son and daughter. Matt was born on June 28, 1957 to Gerrit and Shirley (Pitts) Herline and raised in their family home on Bob Avenue with his five siblings.

After Matt graduated from Reeths-Puffer High School in 1975, he went on to join the trades as a very skilled welder for Johnston Boiler, Consumers Energy travel crew and Agrievo. He later joined Local 340 as an iron worker staying busy with local contractors, Northern Boiler and Monarch, before retiring from Erickson Crane and Rigging.

Matt is survived by his children Samuel (Merissa) Herline, Holly (Cole) Schroeder, and Ben Watson; his five grandchildren Reed and Marley Herline, Mason and Jacob Schroeder and Elsa Watson; his siblings September (Jeff) Evert, Mark (Karla) Herline, Mitch (Nan) Herline, Shelly Herline and Kelly Matthews.

Matt may have taken the Shawshank Redemption quote, "Get busy living, or get busy dying" too literally in his early years. Find the right person and you may be surprised at the stories you hear about his adventures and the stunts he pulled. His favorite way to spend time with family and friends was enjoying travel out West, canoe trips and pig roasts together. With a passion for anything with an engine, Matt spent many years racing the local amateur stock car circuit and held numerous records. He is a life-time member of the Muskegon Motorcycle Club where he dedicated countless hours, participated in many events and grew his children's passion for dirt bikes. For many years, the family spent their weekends camping at Bridgeton in the summer and ice-racing local lakes in the winter.

Matt spent the later years of his life dedicated to raising his children at the home he built in Twin Lake. Together, the family enjoyed hunting and fishing, traveling to Wisconsin Dells, camping, eating gas station beef sticks, and golfing at Hickory Knoll every Sunday. Matt was best known for always having his family dogs, Hershey, CD, Rudy and Opie, in the front seat of his truck anywhere he went.

By all accounts, Matt could be described as rough around the edges, but he was a loving and devoted father, hardworking man of his word and would give you the shirt off his back (unless you turned the NASCAR race off during his Sunday nap).

Please join us in honoring Matt during a visitation Friday December 1, 2023, between 3-5 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home, 1469 Peck St. Muskegon, MI followed by a celebration of life. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Northcrest Assisted Living Facility and their staff for the care and comfort they provided him in the final years of his life.