Matthew Bryan Riha
October 9, 1973 - January 2, 2022
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American Legion Jay Wilson Post #112
6671 Middle Ridge Rd.
Madison, OH 44057
440-428-7893 | Map
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Matthew Bryan Riha, 48, passed away with his wife by his side, January 2, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. Matt was born October 9, 1973 in Mayfield Heights, OH to Waren and Penny Riha (Meyers). He grew up in Thompson and loved doing country boy things like playing in the woods, fishing, anything …
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Penny Riha left a message on January 9, 2022:
Tribute to Matt Matt was fun to have around. He was a good conversationalist and had a great sense of humor. I loved him very much and I also liked him as a person. When he and his brother, Eric, were growing up, they were very close. They would stick up for each other to the point that if one of them got into trouble, one would never tell on the other. This made it difficult for us as parents to punish the right child. Of course, our kids were smarter than us. Matt and Eric and his father enjoyed some good times when we lived in Madison. They went fishing a lot and even ice fishing. Matt wrote a poem about ice fishing, and it was read on a local radio station. He also created a piece of carved art that was entered in a school contest. I loved it so much I still have it sitting on my bookcase today. I think of Matt every time I look at it. The first day Matt came home from kindergarten I was waiting for him. When he got off the bus, he started walking up the street instead of our driveway. I asked him where he was going. “I’m going to Helen’s” he said. “Who is Helen?” I asked. “She’s my friend.” he said. Helen’s Grandmother lived very close to us, and Helen was going over there after school. But Helen wasn’t the first girl that he befriended. We used to go camping a lot at Fawn Lakes with friends. They had two children, Dawn and Kevin, that were close in age to ours. Matt and Dawn were three years old and used to hold hands and walk around the campsite. We had many good times. Madison was in the country so we had horses and a lot of cats to take care of any mice problem. Matt loved the horses and taking care of them. And he had a special bond with the cats, especially PV. The PV stood for piss and vinegar. Matt also played a big brother role to my best friend’s daughter, Cathy. Cathy lives in Georgia now so she couldn’t be here. But both my best friend of 60 years and her daughter are here in spirit. Matt was always helpful when my parents grew elderly, too. He was kind and didn’t mind helping me. And it says a lot about the kind of adult Matt was becoming. When Matt became a teenager, he and I used to go out for coffee. Matt didn’t really drink coffee, but it was a good excuse for he and I to have long conversations about everything. I felt very close to Matt. This is before he met his best friend and the love of his life, Mandie. We used to travel on vacation every year. One vacation that I think Matt liked a lot was a trip to Anchorage, Alaska. My sister and her family lived there. Matt was very close to their youngest son, Joe. Matt was 16 and Joe was 17. Matt really enjoyed that trip. Another adventure was a road trip to Texas when the kids were little to visit my sister and her family. We even spent one day in Mexico. We went to Galveston and Matt & Eric swam in the ocean. After Matt left home, he would visit Dad and I a lot. We would mostly just hang out or he and his father would putter around in the garage. We called Waren by his middle name then, Dale, and he was always working on some project in the garage. Matt learned to be very handy. Not too long after Dale and I moved to Tennessee we got a call from Mandie that is a parent’s worst nightmare. It wasn’t life threatening but Matt had been severely burned in an industrial accident. We immediately flew up to visit him and give him our support. That same year an opposite event occurred. Matt and Mandie were going to be married! I was hoping that they would be there for each other for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. And they were. This has been the worse week of my life. It is said that no parent should have to bury their child, and it is true. Fortunately, I have many wonderful memories of Matt and Matt’s family. I want to be closer to his sweet daughter, who is a lot like her father. I will miss Matt every day for the rest of my life.
Arne Pasanen left a message on January 8, 2022:
Matt what can I say besides that your was my best friend in school and I've missed you more then you know and now I won't have that chance to reconnect with you I'm at a lost for words but I've always had a very special place in my heart for you cuz you and I was so close in school and have done so many crazy things together. I'm sorry we're never had that chance to reconnect but that times we had we had a blast and those I'll never forget I love bro fly high my friend till we meet again.
Michele Post left a message on January 5, 2022:
My Dad (Wayne Post) and I would like to send our sincerest condolences and sympathies to the family. I met Matt through my Dad who is a Legion member. Matt and I shared some pretty deep conversations and I always enjoyed talking to him when I saw him. He was no doubt a caring and giving man. He will be missed by many at the Legion I know that, and I will miss seeing and talking to him on my visits with my Dad as well. May God Bless all of you and guide you all in healing. Wayne and Michele Post Madison/Willoughby
John Gaydos left a message on January 5, 2022:
Waren & Penny you have my condolence and prayers for the passing of your son. I remember how he enjoyed coming into Woodline to visit you.
Jimmy left a message on January 5, 2022:
Mandie, I am so sorry for your loss. You and Tilly are in my thoughts and prayers!
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Crystal Archer left a message on January 5, 2022:
When we first moved to Madison Village Matt was tending bar at Duffy's tavern. He was sitting on the bar watching South Park and making funny jokes. He made us feel welcome not only to Duffy's but to the Village. Bless him and his family.
Jeff Binnig left a message on January 4, 2022:
I am middle son of Matt’s mom older sister Carole Binnig. Matt, Eric, Joe(my younger brother) and I spent a lot of time down at the creek turning over rocks finding snakes, and whatnot. Miss you man.
Jacqueline Micklos left a message on January 4, 2022:
In memory of Matthew Bryan Riha, Jacqueline Micklos lit a candle
Jo & Richard Harding left a message on January 4, 2022:
In memory of Matthew Bryan Riha, Jo & Richard Harding lit a candle
Behm Family Funeral Homes left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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