Matthew Scott Snodell

1989 - 2023

Matthew Scott Snodell
Born: March 18, 1989 in Park Ridge, IL
Died: March 20, 2023 in McLeod, MT
Matt Snodell died at home on March 20th after a short illness, leaving behind his daughter Jadeyn, brothers Trevor (Madeline), Ron (Adrienne), and Randy, nephew Tyler and parents Kathy and Walt Snodell.
Matt was born in Park Ridge, Illinois, and grew up in Glen Ellyn attending public schools there until going to Wisconsin for high school at St John's Northwestern Military Academy. He graduated from SJNMA in 2007. A talented athlete, he played soccer, baseball, and football, but was especially fond of wrestling. Captain of his team for three years, he accumulated a 21-3 record his senior year and won first place in his region at the Wisconsin State Wrestling Tournament. This despite having congenital heart issues that required surgery early in high school. After high school he attended Universal Technical Institute, graduating in 2012 with a degree in Automotive/Diesel Industrial Technology with Ford Accelerated Credentials.
There were two special loves in Matt's life: His daughter Jadeyn and the family cattle ranch in Montana, where he and Jadeyn spent summers along with other family members. In early 2018 he was finally able to realize his dream of bringing her to Montana and working full-time at the ranch. Then in September - just a few months later - he was thrown from his horse, hitting his head on a hardened gravel road. He was medivac-ed to Billings Clinic and the injury nearly killed him, but he never gave up. He fought back from it and from the anger management and memory-loss issues that accompany brain trauma.
For sure Matt was a fighter, but he was known his whole life as a kind soul who went out of his way to be helpful. As a cadet leader in military school, he mentored younger cadets. He was an "uncle" to friends' children, who knew they could confide in him. He would plow neighbors' drives, help fix friends' trucks and bring meals to shut-ins. This is how he is remembered. He was tough and caring and loving, and after a life cut short, we miss him terribly.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on May 6, 2023:
First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, 535 Forest Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Matt's honor to the Brain Injury Association of America/ 3057 Nutley St. 805/ Fairfax, VA 22031-1931