MECCA - Matthew Tyler Berendt, 7, passed away Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at home after a two-year battle with leukemia.
He was born July 13, 2005, the son of Jessica Fuentes Berendt and Anthony Berendt Sr.
Matthew was officially baptized two weeks ago and was a member of the West Mecca United Methodist Church.
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He was full of life and loved being a kid. He enjoyed all things little boys do. He loved playing with Legos, Transformers and pirates.
Mostly, he enjoyed playing with his older brother, A.J.
Matthew will be deeply missed by all the people whose lives he touched during his short seven years.
He is survived by his mother, Jessica Berendt of Struthers; his father, Anthony Berendt Sr. of Florida; three brothers, Anthony "AJ" Berendt Jr., Thomas Berendt and Hunter Berendt; a sister, Chloe Berendt; his maternal grandmother, Melissa Fuentes of Fowler; maternal grandfather, Joel Fuentes of Florida; maternal great-grandfather, Glenn (Sandee) Smith of Mecca; maternal great-grandmother, Coreen Smith of Warren; and his paternal grandmother, Esther Vause of South Carolina.
Matthew was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, John Berendt.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the Shafer-Winans Funeral Chapel in Cortland, where services will follow at 11 a.m.
Burial will be in the West Mecca Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Matthew's memory to Peds Cancer Institutional Relations and Development, P.O. Box 74947, Cleveland, OH 44101.
Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.shaferwinanschapel.com.
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