Assistant Chief Matthew Lawrence Tobben

Matthew Lawrence Tobben was born November 05, 1981 in Washington, MO to Lawrence and Sharon Tobben nee Schaefer. Matthew passed away suddenly while performing a water rescue in the line of duty on Monday, July 08, 2024 in Columbia, MO at the age of 42 years.
Matthew grew up in Franklin County, Missouri. He attended Beaufort Elementary School and graduated from Union High School in 2000. He continued his education at East Central College and later at Ashland University. Matthew began his career as volunteer firefighter for the Union Fire Protection District in 2005 and was hired full time by the department in¬ 2008. Matthew served the Union Fire Protection District in many capacities over the course of his career, eventually being promoted to Assistant Chief in 2019. In 2024, Matthew left the Union Fire Protection District after being appointed the Assistant Chief for Training with the Boone County Fire Protection District. Matthew also served on Missouri Task Force 1 for many years.
Matthew was united in marriage to Jackie Cash on October 10, 2009 at St. Joseph Neier, Union MO. The couple made their home in Union, MO and their marriage was blessed with two sons, Jack and Henry. The Tobben family moved to Sturgeon MO in May 2024. Matthew loved his family deeply. He committed his entire life to caring for his family and serving the public as a firefighter. Matt enjoyed camping, fishing, and spending as much time as possible with his family and friends.
Matthew was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Ira "Boone" Cash and his maternal grandparents, Frank and Theresa Schaefer and paternal grandparents, Lawrence and Evelyn Tobben and other aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his wife, Jacquelynn (Jackie) Tobben (nee' Cash) and two sons, Jack and Henry Tobben, all of Union, MO; his parents, Lawrence and Sharon Tobben of Union, mother-in-law, Melinda Cash of Union; sister, Stacey Donnelly and husband Jarrod of Rosebud, niece, Mercedes Donnelly of Cape Girardeau, MO and nephew, Liam Donnelly of Rosebud; sister Jessica and spouse Diane Grabian of Union; brother-in-law Danny Cash and wife Sherryl; nieces Katilyn, Allison, Rebecca, and Lillian Cash all of Union; along with other relatives, his firefighting family, and many dear friends.
Visitation for 42-year-old Matthew Tobben will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024 at Oltmann Funeral Home in Union, MO, from 3-8 p.m.
Funeral Service will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 13, 2024 in the gymnasium at East Central College in Union, MO. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to The Tobben Children Education (Checks may be made payable to Jackie Tobben), Safety Net or Tunnel to Towers.
The family of Assistant Chief Matthew Tobben is being served by Oltmann Funeral Home in Union, MO