Matthew Lakin

Matthew Lakin
Bluffs - Matthew Lynn Lakin, 50, of Bluffs, IL, passed away at 12:41PM on Thursday, December 25, 2025. Matt was an adored husband, son, brother and uncle, a loving dad to his fur babies, a life-long farm kid and a treasured friend. These are only a few of his titles but we can all agree Matt was larger than life.
Matt spent his younger years on the family farm in Murrayville, IL, learning the tricks of the trade that would help him to become an integral part of his family's business as an adult. Matt loved driving all the different tractors and farm machinery. Driving his 3-wheeler at top speed was one of his favorite pastimes, much to his mother's dismay. His love of driving continued into adulthood. You could often find him on country roads, checking fields in the truck he affectionately called Optimus Prime.
Growing up in Murrayville, Matt could often be found running around town with his friends. They all swear they weren't causing any trouble.
Matt attended Lincoln Elementary and Turner Jr High and graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1993. He graduated from University of Illinois with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications in 1998.
After graduation Matt embarked on a long and loved career in radio. As part of The Redneck Breakfast Club on WJVO, Matt was able attend many concerts and conventions and even meet the artists. He once met his favorite artist, Tim McGraw, telling him "You're my favorite artist, right now!" He always regretted adding the "right now" and his friends never let him live it down. Often teasing him about it when a Tim McGraw song came on. Matt loved meeting his listeners and they often stopped him in public to introduce themselves. His listeners loved him and he loved them all right back.
Matt loved music so much, he started a DJ service. He loved giving people the gift of music and was honored to be a part of people's special moments.
Fiercely independent, Matt never let any physical limitations hold him back. He played wheelchair basketball while at U of I and also played roller hockey. These friendly hockey games set the stage for what would later become the Jacksonville Roller Hockey league. He later participated proudly in 5k races with his wife, Judy.
Matt and Judy recently celebrated weathering the triumphs and tribulations of their 20 years of married life. They commemorated the milestone with a family trip to Florida.
Matt's competitive spirit was legendary. He loved all sports and especially loved the Fighting Illini, Chicago Cubs, St Louis Blues, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bulls and NASCAR. He always looked forward to watching March Madness and the Olympics with friends. Matt was known to yell at the TV and threw his foam Bad Call Brick regularly.
Whether it was a gathering at his house, an epic 5 alarm bonfire at County Line or blowing things up at a Hootenanny, Lakin loved a good party. And no party was complete without a little fine whisky and a lot of storytelling. Anyone who has ever attended one of his parties has a story that starts with "This one time I was drinking with Lakin...".
Matt had a lifelong obsession with Legos, video games and fishing. He was an avid fan of Star Wars and was looking forward to starting on the Lego Millennium Falcon.
Matt will be missed by so many. Especially his wife Judy; parents Eric and Chris Lakin; sister and brother-in-law Shelley and Terry Whewell; nephews Brandon (Abby) and Tanner Whewell; great-nephew Jack Whewell; and brother- and sister-in-law David and Mary Gross. He was preceded in death by grandparents Fritz and Audrey Stegemann and Don and Betty Lakin, and father-in-law Jerry Gross.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Murrayville United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at Murrayville Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Williamson Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Memorials are suggested to the Matthew Lakin Scholarship Fund; checks may be made payable to Judy Lakin. A scholarship fund will be set up at the University of Illinois to assist students majoring in communication. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.