Rev. Matthew Gordon Rowe

Rev. Matthew Gordon Rowe, 42, of Muscatine, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2016, of an undiagnosed heart condition at UnityPoint Health Trinity, Rock Island, Illinois.

Visitation will be from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2016, at Muscatine First Assembly of God Church. A Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Church. The Rev. Curt Girod will officiate.  Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt.

Matthew was born October 22, 1973, in Muscatine, Iowa, to Dr. Howard and Patricia (Jewell) Rowe. He graduated from Muscatine High School in 1992, continued his education at MCC, and went on to receive his ministerial license from the Iowa School of Ministry with the Assemblies of God. Matt was united in marriage to Melinda Sue Bales on August 23, 1997, at Muscatine First Assembly of God Church. Matt’s journey as a father began with the birth of Michael James Ryder Rowe in 1998, followed by Lucas Matthew Ryan Rowe in 2000, and in 2007 he gained two more sons, 5-year-old Sebastian Tyler Miller and 3-year-old Joseph Lee Miller. This completed his family. His heart was full and happy, as was his home. He loved his boys and was so very very proud of all of them. He worked at AllSteel for more than 18 years and was an Associate Pastor at Muscatine First Assembly of God Church.

Some activities Matt enjoyed included spending time with his family, taking pictures, watching movies, teaching Bible studies, preaching, drawing, being outdoors and playing games. He had a genuine love for people and wanted others to know God personally as he did in his own life.

Matt is survived by his loving wife of nearly 19 years, Rev. Mindy Rowe, sons, Michael, Lucas, Sabastian, and Joey; his parents, Dr. Howard and Patti Rowe; siblings, Dr. Jason Rowe DC of Muscatine, Jeannette (JJ) Erickson of DeWitt, Amy (Peter) Schumaker of St. Louis, MO, Calvin Rowe of New Orleans, LA and Chris Rowe of Atlanta, GA; his grandmother, Harriet Jewell; his mother- and -father-in-law, the Rev.s Michael and Susan Bales of Muscatine; brothers- and sisters-in law, Rev. Matthew (Joanna) Bales of Bettendorf and Mark (Shayla) Bales of Bellevue, NE; nieces and nephews, Timothy, Emma, and Jane Schumaker, and Marcus and Maxsen Bales; aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Jeannette and Dudley Rowe, Harry Jewell, and step-grandmother, Connie Rowe.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that monetary gifts may be given to Muscatine First Assembly of God to support the future needs of his wife and children.