Matthew "Matt" Blane English

Matthew Blane “Matt” English of Grantsburg, Illinois passed away March 8, 2024 at his home, on the Fred Foss Farm at Big Bay, surrounded by his family, that loved him.

Matt was born November 21, 1958 at Sewart Air Force Base in Symrna, TN to Clinton “Mick” and Marilyn “Hap” (Belyew) English.

Matt was a baptized Christian, and a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Metropolis. He graduated from the Metropolis Community High School in the Class of 1977 and received a certification in welding from Shawnee Community College. He married Angela “Angie” Foss on April 12, 1993 and together they raised their children in the home he had built on his parent’s land in the Macedonia Church community. Matt worked as a bridge welder for the Illinois Central Railroad, worked maintenance at Lafarge Joppa and Honeywell Metropolis plants, and until the time of his illness was a Millwright with Local 1554 out of Nashville, TN.

Matt was known for his skill as a block and brick mason, a welder, and a carpenter. His work ethic was unsurpassed and even during his last days of declining health he continued to work on projects for his family. Other than his grandchildren, nothing gave him more pleasure than spending time in his shop working or just visiting with family and friends while a fire burned in his Grandpa English’s wood stove. Matt was a man of his word, a faithful friend, and a devoted father to his three children, who were the light of his life.

Matt was preceded in death by his parents Mick and Hap; his grandparents, Clint and Pearl (Sommer) English and James “Bert” and Amelia (Miller) Belyew; uncles, Billy Joe English and Bill Belyew; father and mother-in-law, James and Carolyn (Cromeenes) Foss; and infant grandson, Jase Wayne Armstrong.

Matt is survived by his wife Angie; daughter, Leslie Blane Armstrong and husband Jared; sons, Mickey Ryan English and girlfriend Krystal and Ryan James English and wife Whitney; granddaughters, Marlee Blane Armstrong, Kaylin Jase Armstrong, Anderson Grace English, and Kenzie S. English; one grandson, Porter Ryan English; brothers, Mike English and wife Paula and Mark English and wife Debbie; maternal aunts, Jo Burton and husband Doug and Madelyn Runion and husband Bob; sister-in-law, Mollie Foss and fiancé Tony Randolph; nephews, he was especially close with, Michael English and Chase Wilson; best friend, Wally Mittendorf; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 1 pm at the Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home in Metropolis with Vicar Aaron Dawson officiating.

Friends may visit with the family from 11 am until the time of the service.

Memorials may be made in Matt’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or St. John Lutheran Church, 5187 Old Marion Road, Metropolis, Illinois 62960.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Matthew "Matt" Blane English, please visit our floral store.