Obituary: Matthew David Siller Jaehnig

As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:

Matthew David Siller Jaehnig, 32, of Mohawk, passed away at his home in Mohawk on Monday, April 3, 2023.

He was born on October 4, 1990 in Hancock to Graham David and Karen Sue (Siller) Jaehnig and he attended Hancock Schools.

He was employed at Gino’s in Hancock, Northshore Restaurant, Econo Foods Deli, Waterfront Restaurant, and most recently as a chef at The Fitz in Eagle Harbor. He was very passionate, talented, and creative with food and was a very hard worker. He did his absolute best at anything he did, ultimately deciding to hone his craft to show us his love and bring comfort through the food that he would make for us.

In his younger days he loved to play baseball, football, skateboarding, snowmobiling, riding dirt bikes, and enjoyed his lifelong passion for music and playing the guitar. He enjoyed time at the family camps in Chassell and on Lake Gerald where he hunted and fished in the lake and little creeks. His appreciation for the beauty of nature and family connection was strongest when he was there. For those of us remaining, his presence will be felt in those places forever.

Matthew and Ariel were high school sweethearts who, after 11 years of being together, married each other on August 29, 2020 in Ariel’s dad’s back yard. He shared his passion of cooking with her as they made dinner together every night, or on camping trips they would find new, interesting ways to make food outdoors. He would pick Ariel wildflowers and he told her he loved her every day. They loved daily walks, hikes, and jumping into the the lakes with their dogs.

He loved all animals deeply, especially his dogs Oakley, Louie, and Archie, as well as his cats.

He was thoughtful, softhearted, sensitive, and appreciative of those around him and always put the needs of others before himself. He was quick-witted, as spicy as the food he’d make. He’d always smile and give you a big hug, every time you’d meet and say “I love you.”

He was preceded in death by his beloved dog, Oakley, grandma and grandpa Ayoub, grandma Siller, grandma Nell, grandma and grandpa Poirer, grandma and grandpa Jaehnig, uncles Dominic and Paul, and many other aunts, uncles, and friends.

He is survived by the love of his life and best friend Ariel, mother and step-father, Karen and Bruce Kinnunen, very close older brother who he looked up to, Joshua and sister-in-law Sienna Jaehnig and their children Hudson and Esme (who called him Uncle Mutti), grandpa Joe Siller, grandma and grandpa Vickie and Ralph Herron, his father and step-mother, Graham and Angela Jaehnig and half brothers and sisters Jon, Chris, Elizabeth, Sarah, James, and Mary, his father and step mother-in-law Mark and Suzanne Miron, sisters-in-law Miranda and Galan Miron (Al Drew) and their son Maverick, brothers-in-law Chad Mitchell, Kyle and Logan Codere, and mother-in-law Val Holcomb. Also surviving and aunties Rosie Siller and Sue Feira, aunt and uncle Alicia and Todd McEllis, aunt and uncle Mary and Mike Simula, aunt and uncle Ron and Tracey Jaehnig and their families, and numerous cousins including his special cousins Mikie and Nick.

Five hundred words are not nearly enough to describe Matthew. Matthew was a light in the lives of many and will be truly missed. When you see the Sunshine in the sky, Think of Matthew.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock with Deacon David Talford to officiate. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until the time of services at the funeral home on Tuesday. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in the spring.

To leave online condolences for his family, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in Matthew’s memory.