Matthias Stephen Herman
January 05, 2020
Matthias Stephen Herman, 22, of Fayetteville, AR and formerly of Des Moines, went home to his Lord and Savior in Heaven when he passed away unexpectedly on January 5, 2020. Matthias had a huge heart and touched the lives of many with his hard work, brilliant mind, and God-given desire and ability to help others. He will be missed beyond measure. Visitation will be Thursday, January 9 from 2 to 4 pm at NorthPoint Church, 9901 NW 62nd Ave. in Johnston, IA. The Celebration of Life service will follow at the church at 4:30 pm.
Matthias was born on October 20, 1997 in Arlington Heights, IL to Philip and Pamela (Bendixen) Herman. He lived in Illinois, Nebraska, and Iowa before graduation from Des Moines Christian School in 2015 and then attending John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Upon graduation in May 2019 he worked as a Marketing Specialist at Branches Mission Lab and in Strategy Support at Field Agent, both in Northwest Arkansas.
He is survived by his parents; siblings, Josiah, Nathanael, Abigail and Kaylan; grandparents, Wayne and Carol Herman, Paul and Betty Bendixen; aunts and uncles, Paulette Bendixen Brown, Thomas (Brandi) Bendixen, Keith (Beth) Herman, Nathan (Tisha) Herman, Renee (Andrew) Olsen, and Russell (Laura) Herman; and many cousins and friends.
Matthias was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Georgia Herman and great-grandparents, Verne and Bernice Herman, Esper and Mary Casper, Herbert and Florence Lehrman, and Fred and Nellie Bendixen.
The family requests that instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made at Go Fund Me
Condolences may be sent to the family at www. HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
To our beloved family and friends,
It is with great sadness of heart that we must inform you that our second oldest child, Matthias, took his own life Sunday afternoon by killing himself with a gun. It is a tremendous loss for all of us who lost such a loving and kind soul. The question that many of us will wrestle with is why, and the short answer is that the lies that Satan told him, he believed. This is more of that explanation.
We have known Matthias all of our lives as a vibrant and alive person who had a smile for everyone and enjoyed life to the fullest. He was kind and caring and helped so many people around him, even working on projects that would help others around the world. He loved the outdoors and all that God has created. This took him to many back roads, including county, state, and national parks. Many of us enjoyed his wonderful pictures and the stories that came with them.
He was an excellent student in the classroom and made many friends with his classmates (Christian Liberty Academy, LHNE, and Des Moines Christian School) and teachers. He loved his time at college at John Brown University and had many wonderful experiences in the Enactus club, allowing him the experience to compete regionally, nationally, and internationally with & for his school.
He was a wonderful son and a great brother to his siblings. He loved us and we loved him deeply. We have so many tremendous memories of doing everyday things with him. He was deeply committed to being in church and in church activities all of his life. He loved God and counted Jesus as His Lord and Savior. All of these things continue to beg the question of why he would end his life in this way.
Early this last fall Matthias began to share with us that he has had internal feelings and beliefs about being inadequate with who he is. He felt that something might be wrong with his brain because for the longest time that he could remember, he didn’t feel like he had anything to offer to conversation, or plans, or thoughts about deeper things in life.
Those of us who’ve known Matthias for a long time simply know that this was not true, but this lie was deeply planted in his heart by Satan. Intellectually he knew that his identity was in who God had made him and that he was “fearfully and wonderfully made”. However, this truth never reached his heart and soul in the deepest ways that would allow him to be set free.
We saw his sadness at Thanksgiving and had good and honest conversations with him at that time. He promised that he would continue to seek answers and pray about these things that we were talking with him about. A college friend’s graduation present allowed him the opportunity to take a cruise in the Caribbean right before Christmas and when he spent a week with us, as immediate and extended family, during the Christmas and New Year’s break time, we had wonderful times with him. We could see a clear improvement in his attitude and his interaction with all of us. We told him when he left and in texts when he got back to Arkansas that it was so good to have him with us and we loved him so much. We encouraged him to stay in touch with us regularly and he responded that he would and that he loved us too.
All of this takes us back to the question of why. Maybe the police officer who confirmed the sad news of our son’s death to us had the best answer we may ever get. She said that sometimes the caring ones carry the cares of this world so deeply in their hearts that they don’t know what to do about all of these things. When they are convinced that no one can help solve that, then they make plans to die and give few or no warning signs and cries for help. All we can do at this point is to entrust him to a loving and caring God who made our wonderful son just the way that He wanted to. We celebrate the 22 wonderful years that God entrusted Matthias to us. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement to us in this deep loss.
Philip, Pam, Josiah, Abigail, Nathanael, and Kaylan Herman
Teresa Schulte
01/08/2020
Oh! I am so sorry to hear of your loss! It's hard when a vibrant person leaves us so suddenly. May your happy memories keep Matthias close to your hearts.
Carl & Rita Johnson
01/08/2020
We are heartbroken hearing of your loss. Our love and prayers will be with you. Wish we could be there to hug you all.
F Cownie
01/08/2020
Dear Pastor Herman, Matthiass death is a sad loss for you, your family, his community, and many others. May the love of family and friends comfort and strengthen you in the days ahead. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Calin & Estera Pop
01/08/2020
Dear Phil and Pam, we are heartbroken by the sad news. We lovingly remember Matthias from his early years as our son and him spend much time together. Always smiling and goofy and happy! What a beautiful tribute you wrote for him! What an amazing young man! May God continue to surround your family with His love and peace that surpasses all understanding, may you all be comforted in your unimaginable grief by our loving Father. You are and will continue to be in our prayers. Much love to you.....
Linda S.
01/08/2020
I do not not know your son, but happened upon this obituary and read your touching tribute. As a mother of a 22 year old son suffering from depression, my heart goes out to your family. The world is hard for our young adults these days, college debt, trying to secure employment and paying rent, dealing with goals and expectations they have placed upon themselves that are hard to meet in today's world. I pray for your family and for all those suffering from depression. Be strong and may god bless us all.
The Plummers
01/08/2020
We have so many fond memories of times spent with Matthias and your family. We love you and our hearts ache for you. You are and will be in our prayers.
Ed Gregory
01/08/2020
Phil and Family,
I just want you to know that we are lifting you up in prayer as you walk through this Season. You are loved!
Sabrina Bierman
01/08/2020
I dont know your family personally, but in our world of social media I happened upon this beautiful tribute to Matthias. It is evident he was a light in this world while on earth and greater still I believe and will be praying that your brave testimony and willingness to share his difficult entrance into heaven will impact many for good. Praying for your precious family to continue to experience the peace that passes all understanding.
Jeannie
01/08/2020
My deepest condolences. My heart hurts for you all in this loss.
Joshua Harley
01/08/2020
I went to school with Matthias at Schaumburg Christian school in Chicago. He was my 5th grade classmate and our teacher was Mr. Joiner. I am shocked to hear this kind of news. What a honor it was to share moments with you brother. May you Rest In Peace l! ????
Lauren D
01/08/2020
He was such a sweet kid. He was goofy, and had such an infectious smile. I was a youth leader when he was in youth group at church. My condolences, and prayers for the family ????
Sarah Duncan
01/08/2020
Loved ones of Matthias, I only knew him for a week, but it was an impactful week. Matthias was one of my orientation leaders when I first arrived at JBU as a terrified freshman, and he and his co-leader were so honest, welcoming, funny, adventurous, and kind with us. They brought us together as a little family and provided support throughout the rest of the year and after, passing along encouragement and helpful tips long after they were required to engage with us. Matthias even created a Google Docs list of 66 Pro Tips, ranging from #1 "Get plugged into a church and any on-campus ministries ASAP. . . " to #7 "See a cute guy or girl across the class but didnt catch their last name or only know their major? Check the Phone and photo directory on Eaglenet" to #15 "Its usually cold in chapel and some other places on campus. Bring a sweater or hoodie around if youre the type to get cold easily." He thought of everything to help everyone, even in just that document. He was such a kind soul, and I'm blessed to have been touched by him. Grieving for everyone who knew him for his caring, inspiring, and God-and-people-loving self, I keep thinking of two beautiful choral songs. The first for how it represents Matthias and his legacy of fulfilling the Lord's two greatest commandments: love the Lord and love your neighbor as yourself. It certainly seems as though Matthias lived these to the full. I think of the second song for the emotion it carries (rather than its theological accuracy), particularly in light of the perspective in the comment included below.
Prayer by Rene Clausen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU4jaTDwqSs
Help me. Help me spread Your fragrance wherever I go.
Flood my soul. Shine through me.
Flood my soul with Your Spirit and Life.
Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly,
that my life may be only a radiance of Yours.
Shine through me and be so in me that every
soul I know will feel Your presence in my soul.
Let them look up and see no longer me, but only You."
"Let My Love Be Heard" by Jake Runestad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh5uH5ojFto
Angels, where you soar
Up to Gods own light
Take my own lost bird
On your hearts tonight;
And as grief once more
Mounts to heaven and sings
Let my love be heard
Whispering in your wings
Viewer comment on video: I don't know how to explain it, but when it comes to 3:12, I can imagine the sound as prayers and thoughts that we send for the lost ones being brought up by the angels, and finally reach God at 4:30.
I hope they provide some comfort to you in this time, but that most of all you feel the love of the Lord and others' love holding you up. Thanking God that Matthias is fully alive with his Savior and Lord today! Much love to each of you. May our victorious king, advocate, and comforter be with each of you, now and always. What a day will be His final victory over the enemy and the reunion of all His beloved ones together in Him forever and ever again!
VMK
01/08/2020
When I think of Matthias, I think of joy and laughter. He always made me laugh so hard. I havent seen Matthias since I was about 15 years old but I always remember him with a smile and a deep kindness for others. He was truly a light. Ill never forget him and all the silly memories we made together. I cant wait to see him again one day. Im so sorry to his family. He will be missed and thought of.
Chuck and Connie Morris
01/07/2020
Our prayers and hearts go out to this family as they sort through the grief that they have for their son. God Bless You as your son has gone to Heaven to be with Jesus.
R.L.
01/07/2020
I got to know Matthias while we went to CLA together. We were never close friends, but we had many interactions. Every time I think of Matthias, I always think of how he was always smiling and how he was always a positive spirit. Matthias touched the lives of many, as you surely know. My thoughts go out to your family, you will be in my prayers.