Matthew R. Conlan, 33, of Leigh, Nebraska, died Saturday, January 26, 2008, as a result of a traffic accident near Leigh.

The funeral service will be on Tuesday at 10:30 AM at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Leigh with Pastor Theresa Meyer officiating. Interment will be in the Leigh City Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Tuesday from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church. There will be a family prayer service on Tuesday at 10:15 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family.

Matthew R. Conlan was born January 27, 1974, in Atlantic, Iowa, to Tim and Jane (Goodell) Conlan. At the age of 4, the family moved to Norfolk, Nebraska, where Matt attended school, graduating from Norfolk High School. After graduation, Matt worked at Great Dane Trailers in Wayne, Nebraska, Creston Fertilizer in Creston, Nebraska, BMC Transportation in Columbus, Nebraska, and was currently driving truck for Jeff and Kay Olson of Leigh, Nebraska. Matthew enjoyed going to tractor auctions, tractor restoration, golf, and camping. He collected John Deere tractors. Matthew was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Leigh.

Matthew is survived by:
Wife - Stephanie Conlan of Leigh, NE
Son - Morgan Roberts of Leigh, NE
Daughter - Mallory Conlan of Leigh, NE
Mother & Step Father - Jane (Tim) Zabka of Leigh, NE
Sister - Ann (Eric) Mikkelson of Rochester, MN
Step-Brother - Doug Zabka of Leigh, NE
Step-Brother - David Zabka of Lincoln, NE
Step-Sister- Angie (Tyler) Reeves of Leigh, NE
Grandparents - Jim (Helen) Goodell of Humboldt, IA
Great Grandmother - Arlene Sawyer of Humboldt, IA
Mother-in-law & Step Father-in-law - Roberta Long & Max Shissler of Grand Island, NE
Father-in-law & Step Mother-in-law - Steve (Ann) Long of Ft. Myers Beach, FL
8 - Sisters & Brothers-in-law
15 - Nieces & Nephews

Matthew was preceded in death by:
Father - Tim Conlan
Grandfather - William Conlan
Grandmother - LaVon Meyer


SERVICE FOLDER

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I've found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembering joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with time of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I've savored much,
Good friend's good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now; He set me free.




In Loving Memory Of

Matthew R. Conlan

Born
Sunday, January 27, 1974
Atlantic, Iowa

Entered Into Rest
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Rural Platte County, Nebraska

Service
Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:30 AM
St. John's Lutheran Church
Leigh, Nebraska

Officiating
Pastor Theresa Meyer

Music
Karen Bruhn - Organist
Virgil Balmer - Soloist
"Fly With Angels" "It Is Well With My Soul"
Congregational Hymns
"Lift High The Cross" "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

Casket Bearers
Cory Daniel Kris Folken
Doug Zabka David Zabka
Tyler Reeves Jeremy Krings

Honorary Casket Bearers
Jeff Olson Andy Olson Mark Fleet
Angel Lopez Mike Henke Trent Henke
Virgil Balmer Steve Mitchell Eric Mikkelson
Larry Wietfeld Don Vollbrecht Ron Vollbrecht
Mike Magsamen

Interment
Leigh City Cemetery
Leigh, Nebraska

A lunch will be served at the Creston Community Hall following the interment.