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Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'How do you function': Parents talk of the death of their son in Green Memorial Day parade
At a memorial garden dedicated to children who died, Daniel and Jennifer Schultz of North Canton talked July 29 about the loss of their 13-year-old son, Matthew Schultz. Matthew died May 26 after falling off a parade trailer during the Green Memorial Day parade. The memorial stone for Matthew at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Green won't tell you the tragic details of the accident, or the painful details of his family's recovery. It's a story of grief and faith, family and community, whispered by every stone engraved for a child who died far too young. In the background, the sounds of children playing on a nearby field filtered through as they spoke. Two months after Matthew fell, his parents said they are still processing, still looking for a return to a routine although things will never be the same again. "How do you survive? How do you function?" Jennifer said. One way to begin is to accept that Matthew, they said, is in a better place. "He wanted to be famous, but he also wanted to get to heaven and be with God," Daniel said. Star Wars, Legos and a smile for a friend Jennifer said Matthew was born with a condition called tetralogy of Fallot, comprised of four issues in the structure of the heart. 'He had four procedures throughout his life at the Cleveland Clinic," Daniel said. His last was Christmas Eve, five months before the parade. Prior to the procedure in December, Matthew was characteristically mischievous. "He liked to pull pranks," Daniel said. "(He was) joking around with us and his grandparents." Jennifer said Matthew loved martial arts, but was constrained in sports by his condition. Overexertion or contact sports like football were off the table. His mother said Matthew's condition also limited his stamina and he was affected by weather extremes. Still, he was a positive child who loved to play Star Wars and Legos, his father said. "If he knew a friend was having a hard day, he would reach out to his friend with a smile," he said. Matthew and his 9-year-old sister Sophia were close, and their relationship was a classic brother-sister one, Jennifer said. "They drove each other crazy, but were each other's best friends," she said. "He was a better person than me," his father said. 'I still ask God every day, "What is your will for us?" ' Daniel and Jennifer Schultz said nothing could prepare them for the event on May 26. They've had to take it step by step, relying on family, friends, their North Canton parish and the wider community for support. The Rev. David R. Durkee, pastor at Queen of Heaven, approached them early, and an anonymous donor provided for the memorial stone in the memory garden. At North Canton Middle School, Matthew's schoolmates plastered hundreds of Post-it notes, pictures and handwritten notes on his locker. A Gofundme raised more than $100,000 for the Schultz family. "It truly takes a village to raise a child, and we're fortunate to have that," Jennifer said. But the questions still come, the grief lingers. "It solidified my faith, but I still ask God every day, 'What is your will for us?' " Jennifer said. A passage from the Catholic Bible in Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 4:12, provided some solace, Daniel said. It was read at Matthew's funeral. "But the righteous, even if they die early, will be at rest," the passage begins. 'His story is not over, yet' Two months after their world changed forever, Matthew's parents say they hope that time, counseling and memories of their son will help lay the path for a sense of normalcy. It helps that school for Matthew's sister starts in August, they said. "The new routine will start to come," Daniel said. They've been blessed with employers who permitted a leave of absence, they said. "Neither of us has been back to work yet," Daniel said. That will come with the new routine they're building day by day. That, and a sense that Matthew's presence is still with them. "His story is not over, yet," said his father. Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@ Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj or Facebook at This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Parents reflect on son, 13, who died in Green Memorial Day parade
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Boy killed in parade accident remembered at 2 Friday vigils: ‘He was a light'
NORTH CANTON, Ohio (WJW) – Hundreds of grieving neighbors, family members and friends gathered to remember 13-year-old Matthew Schultz at two vigils Friday night. The first event was a private rosary service held at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Green because Matthew was an altar server and loved his faith. 'That's the one thing that keeps us smiling through our tears, that Matthew lives forever. When God gives a gift, he gives it forever,' said Fr. David Durkee, becoming choked up. The second memorial and night of remembrance started later around 8 p.m. at Witwer Park in North Canton next to North Canton Middle School. I-TEAM: New development in unsolved Cleveland Metroparks double murder Hundreds came out in force and in costume. Some wore blue clothing, which was his favorite color. Others dressed up like characters from Star Wars, but they all carried lights. 'Light because he was a light,' said organizer Rachel Hoffman Murray. 'We've got the glow sticks and light sabers, flashlights and a chance to kind of shine in that darkness.' Matthew's death on Memorial Day has devastated the area after the teen fell from a trailer during the parade. Also in attendance at the vigil were members of the Ohio Garrison 501st Legion Star Wars Cosplayers who were at the parade that day. They said he was always full of joy, curiosity and laughter. 'Matthew was a huge Star Wars fan. Some of our members even got a chance to speak with him before the incident and he was very excited to see us,' said David Hise, Ohio Garrison 501st Commander. Graduating East Cleveland students fulfill a special pact from middle school The vigil was designed to help everyone honor Matthew's life and cope with the tragic loss. 'To recognize Matthew, recognize his family and just, you know, honor the time that we had with him,' said Hoffman-Murray. The community is also allying behind the family in other ways too, from upcoming restaurant fundraisers to selling specially designed t-shirts. 'My daughter knew Matthew. We couldn't believe it and we just wanted to do something to help,' said Ashley Humphrey. They said they want to be a force of heartfelt solidarity and tangible support for Matthew's family during this difficult time. 'I think that's part of the healing process, everyone coming together supporting one another,' said Hise. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Communities rally to support family of 13-year-old who died after falling from parade float
GREEN, Ohio (WJW) – The communities of Green and North Canton are doing all they can to support the family of 13-year-old Matthew Schultz, who died after an accident on Memorial Day. Schultz fell off a parade float and was struck by the wheels. He later died at the hospital. Now, a special prayer session and a vigil are both scheduled for Friday. Local man accused of brutally stabbing puppy pleads not guilty In Green, a rosary prayer service is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. The pastor, Father David Durkee, told FOX 8 News that while Schultz was involved with his hometown church in North Canton, he'd been there before, and his grandparents often attend services there. Durkee also spent time with Schultz' family on Wednesday and was inspired by their faith. He said a prayer service to try and lift the family up is important at a time when everyone is doing what they can to support the family — but it will also make a difference down the line. 'It's going to get them through the dark times later down the road when the crowd is not around them, and to realize the memories, to know that people came out and showed their love and support,' Durkee said. Ohio hiking trail voted one of the country's best Additionally, a celebration of Schultz' life is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Witwer Park near North Canton Middle School. Attendees will be able to write a note for the family and are encouraged to wear blue, as it was Schultz' favorite color. A GoFundMe set up to support the family has surpassed $87,000 in donations. A local T-shirt company called Hawk Creations also created a memorial T-shirt that honors Schultz. In a Facebook post, they said 50% of each sale will be donated to the family, in addition to 15% of all sales through the end of June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Heartbreaking': Support floods in for family of teen killed in Green parade accident
NORTH CANTON, Ohio (WJW) – The people of North Canton are mourning the loss of 13-year-old Matthew Schultz, who passed away on Monday after a tragic accident at the Memorial Day parade in Green. Investigators said Matthew fell off of a parade trailer that was being pulled by a pickup truck, and was then struck by the back wheels of the trailer as it slowly continued to roll along the parade route. Matthew was a seventh grader at North Canton Middle School and on Tuesday, his grieving classmates decorated his locker with notes showing their love and support for the 13-year-old. 'A bright light': Teen who died after fall from Memorial Day parade float in Green remembered as 'loyal and funny' Among those deeply touched by the story is 18-year-old Peyton Craig, a 2025 graduate of North Canton High School. 'Hearing that it happened to someone in our community was heartbreaking. Like, I just had to take a moment and pause and think about it because that could happen to anybody at any time,' she said. Craig was part of a junior achievement team that created what they call the 'Calm Canvas.' Each canvas is a paint by numbers image that enables those dealing with loss or trauma to express their emotion in colors that match their feelings. She is donating Calm Canvases to each of the schools in North Canton as healing tools for grief counselors, as they meet with students and staff struggling with Matthew's death. 'When they are coloring, they are learning and practicing coping mechanisms that they can take with them for the rest of their lives,' she said. During a press conference in Green on Tuesday morning, Danielle Paciorek, who is a spokesperson for the Schultz family, told reporters, 'I'm speaking on behalf of the family of Matthew Schultz, who are experiencing unimaginable heartbreak after the tragic loss of their beautiful beloved son Matthew.' Close friends have created a GoFundMe page to support Matthew's family and donations have been made by people across Northeast Ohio. 'The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to everyone who has reached out with love and support and prayers, all the support over these few days,' said Paciorek. Cleveland non-profit recruiting Black families for dementia care program One of the most touching demonstrations of support for Matthew's family came from Green firefighters who rushed to his side at the parade on Monday. Their union is now donating money that was raised from their annual pancake breakfast on Memorial Day to Matthew's loved ones. The people of North Canton and the surrounding areas of Stark County and Summit County said they are letting the family know that they are being held in loving and healing arms. 'Matthew's absence leaves a hole that can't be filled, but his spirit will live on for everyone he touched,' Paciorek said. Learn more about the GoFundMe page right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
