Matthew David Keating

Matthew David Keating was born August 1, 1966, to Robert and Karen (Schwanz) Keating in Denison, Iowa. 

During his youth, Matthew was active in Cub/Boy Scouts, Little League Baseball, and high school tennis. After graduating from Denison High School in 1984, he went on to attend Morningside College. During his second year at college, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed on the USS Carl Vinson in Alameda, California. He was honorably discharged in 1989, after which he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to work with his best friend at Waterworld, a water park. While working for the water park, he met his wife, Linda Green. They were married on December 31, 1990.

Matthew started working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Phoenix. They relocated to Seattle, Washington, where they lived for 13 years. The rainy weather eventually made them realize they missed the sunshine, and they relocated back to the Phoenix area. Matthew worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons until his retirement in 2016. Matthew realized retirement wasn’t busy enough, so he got into real estate, becoming an agent for Keller Williams. He enjoyed being involved in his community, which led to his involvement in the City of Surprise Planning and Zoning Commission for over 10 years. 

During his free time, he enjoyed listening to music, living an active lifestyle, partaking in hiking, biking, pickleball and tennis. When time allowed, he also enjoyed various woodworking projects, meeting up with family or friends, watching sports, playing cards or games, traveling and exchanging entertaining stories. Matthew was a kind, friendly, selfless, and warmhearted person always willing to lend a hand. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Karen, and stepfather, Allan Wiebers, stepmother, Marj Keating, siblings Mary Keating, Michael (Trish) DeLong, stepbrother Cody (Meagan) Wiebers, nieces and nephews Hannah, Kylie, Briar, Hadlee, Cohen, and great-niece Millicent, step-nieces Amber (Nathan) and Jenn and several step-great nephews, former spouse, Linda Keating and her Guide Dog, Walt, and multiple other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Keating, grandparents, Leo and Anna Keating, Harry and Mildred Schwanz, and Robert and Dorothy Wiebers and Oliver, the best black poodle ever.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in Matthew’s memory to Chance Shelter, https://chanceshelter.org/in-memory-of.