Matthew "Matt" Christopher Franklin, age 51, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2023 at his home in Knob Noster, MO.

Matt was born on November 23, 1971 at Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia, MO, the son of Nina M. (Mitch) (Sunderland) Franklin and Lloyd Milton Franklin. He has resided in his family home in Knob Noster all of his life, where he attended Knob Noster High School and graduated in 1991. After graduation, he attended CMSU in Warrensburg, MO for one year on a presidential scholarship.

Matt was a loving son, brother, and uncle, adored by many nieces and nephews. He loved and cared for them all and they loved him in turn.

Matt began working with his dad in the early 1990s groundskeeping at the Knob Noster Cemetery, where he was still currently employed. He took great pride in his work and received many compliments from Knob Noster residents at how beautifully the cemetery was maintained.

Matt was an active member of the First Christian Church in Knob Noster. He attended Bible study weekly and was active with the Wednesday Zone after school program sponsored by the church. For many years, Matt was also the narrator for the church's Christmas program. Matt was very thankful for his church family and friendships.

Matt enjoyed spending time with family and, if there was a small child there, he went into protective mode and carried them in his arms. He spent a lot of time babysitting nieces and nephews. When he was young, his sister Susie took him on his first and only airplane trip to San Francisco, CA where they enjoyed the sightseeing and shopping. Shopping was his favorite pastime, along with going to the movie theater on a regular basis. His hobbies included collecting Star Wars and Batman memorabilia. He also loved Hot Wheels and Coca-Cola. Christmas was his favorite time of the year. His favorite color was blue, as you could tell by his large collection of Christmas décor, which he proudly displayed all year.

He is survived by eight siblings and their families: Teri (Bryan) Parks of Knob Noster, MO; Patricia (Jim) Hankins of Sedalia, MO; Gail (David) Koehler of Knob Noster, MO; Susan Palomo of Kansas City, MO; Sarah Franklin and Ben Franklin, both of Knob Noster, MO; Joel (Sara) Franklin of Warrensburg, MO; and Joshua Franklin of Knob Noster, MO.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at the First Christian Church in Knob Noster, MO.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Matt Franklin Memorial Fund with checks made payable to Ben Franklin and can be left in the care of Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home.