Matthew George Ballard , age 42, of Quincy was tragically taken from us on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Matt married the love of his life, Julia Wodrich, on November 12, 2011. Matthew is the father of two beautiful children, Matthew G. Ballard II, 23, of Tampa, FL and Miah Ballard, 18, of Quincy, IL.

Matt graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 1997. Matt began working at age 16 and worked at Knapheide for 22 years until he tragically lost his sister and brother. Matt was currently employed by Harbor Freight.

Matt had many talents and was always building things from catio’s to furniture, and putting lights on everything. Matt also took great pride in customizing his BMW.

Matt had a heart of gold and family meant everything to him. He enjoyed attending sporting events, especially Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and St. Louis Blues games, and amusement parks. He was an exceptional pool player and a great bowler. He delighted in watching NASCAR and the Cubs with his grandfather, teaching his son to play ball and his daughter to skate. He, and his wife, took great pride in Matt Jr.’s wrestling competitions. He was a friend to everyone he met and if you knew Matt you knew he was quite the jokester.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his parents, Stacie (Randy) Sparks; his grammy, Georgiann Ballard; his siblings, Edwin (Jodi) Minear, Mick Minear, Royal (Missy) Minear, Sis (Todd) Dusenberry, Brandy (Dean) Harper, Dawn Bryner and Megan (Chuck) Lankey; his mother-in-law, Joan Wodrich; his sisters-in-law, Rebecca Wodrich, Sara Wodrich and Amanda Mixer. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Matt was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Minear; a brother, Marcus Ballard; a nephew, Frankie Minear-Baker; his father, Edwin Minear and grandparents, William Ballard and Royal and Betty Minear.

Our hearts will never be the same.

A memorial visitation will be held on Monday, March 29, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 11:00 AM in Greenmount Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to help with expenses.