Caster, Matthew William

Matthew William Caster died as the result of an auto accident south of Marengo early Sunday morning, April 10, 2011.

He was born Oct. 28, 1979, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Samuel and Jane (Kendall) Caster. He grew up in the North English community, was baptized at Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church, and graduated from English Valleys High School in 1998. Matthew worked at Holden Foundation Seeds and Williamsburg Manufacturing before moving to Blairstown, where he was a lead plant operator at Xethenol, a biofuel plant, for the past 11 years.

Matthew enjoyed fishing, camping, and being outdoors with his dog Jack. He loved playing video games with his brother, making gourmet meals and enjoying his exotic animals and fish.

Matthew is survived by his parents, Samuel and Jane Caster of rural North English; five brothers and sisters, Mark (Lindsey Shriver) Caster of Marengo, Luke (Jena) Caster of Hendersonville, Tenn., Melissa (Will) Luers of Keota, Jessica Caster of North English and John Caster of Albia; six nieces and nephews; and his girlfriend, Jami Kimm of Blairstown.

Matthew was preceded in death by his grandparents, Don and Betty Kendall and Richard and Carolyn Caster.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 14, at Powell Funeral Home in North English, with Pastors Edwin Jordan and Mel Kendall officiating. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery, rural Martinsburg. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

A general memorial fund has been established.

Messages and tributes may be left at  under obituaries.