Matthew graduated from E. A. Johnson High School in 1991and went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Ministries in 2008 from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. At the time of his death, Matt was enrolled at Bellevue University of Bellevue, Nebraska, studying to receive his Master's Degree in Human Resource Management.
Matthew was employed by numerous trucking companies over the years and spent over 20 years in full-time ministry pastoring churches in Michigan, Nebraska, and Iowa.
Matthew had a servant’s heart. He touched the lives of many. He was an ordained minister, polished public speaker, and spent several years on the La Vista Fire Department as a volunteer. Over those years at the fire department, he
started as an EMT and was elected EMS Lieutenant. He received several awards during that time including a Life-Saving Award, and Most Rescues in the calendar year.
Matt had a love for cars, history, politics, Mo-town music, Elvis, and repeatedly watching his favorite movie Goodfellas. He had a passion for following the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Michigan Wolverine Football. Of all the things he cared for he loved his
family the most and was proud of his children's accomplishments. One of the family's most treasured traditions was to watch It’s A Wonderful Life every Christmas Eve and make homemade pizza.
You could find him listening to several genres of music, one of which was old-time hymns. How Great Thou Art, In The Garden, and Victory In
Jesus were just a few of the hymns he would loudly sing, with his daughters, over the years.
Matthew Rappley is survived by his wife Jenny; his four children Miranda, Carter, Hunter, and Raegan; his parents, Russell and Kathie Rappley; his brother Nicholas Rappley (Tammy); his beloved puppy dog Leo, as well as his in-laws, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Grant and Mildred Rappley, and his maternal grandparents Donald and Kathryn Newman.
A beautiful quote from It’s a Wonderful Life, “Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. And when he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
Matthew’s Memorial Celebration will be held locally on November 5, 2022 from 5pm-8pm at the Viviere Apartment Complex Club Room (8216 City Centre Dr., La Vista NE, 68128) This will be a reception with refreshments, memories and a time honor Matt. It will be very casual, no need to dress up.
Memorial donations should be directed to the family at 200 Valley St Glenwood, IA 51534 or sent to @JLRappley on Venmo.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Matthew Paul Rappley, please visit our flower store.