Matthew H. Peelen

Matthew H. (Matt) Peelen, 85, passed away on August 29, 2022, with his family at his side at Community North Hospital, Indianapolis. With his care for people, warm sense of humor, and love for his Savior, Jesus Christ, Matt never met a stranger and invested in the lives of those he encountered.

Born November 6, 1936, into a Christian home to parents, Matthew and Ethel Peelen, Matt grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with one brother and four sisters. Matt attended State High University High School in Kalamazoo where, just a month ago, he chaired his 68th high school reunion. Matt received a bachelor’s degree in business from Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

At age 19, Matt met his wife Sandy at a local drive-in restaurant. They married on July 28, 1956, and were married 66 years at the time of his death. Matt’s true joy and greatest legacy was his wife and all-girl family of four daughters: Brenda, Rhonda, Paula, Nyla, his combined eight grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Matt was deeply committed to spending time with his family and encouraging their walks with the Lord. He devotedly attended countless sporting events and school activities of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to support their many talents.

Matt’s career was spent in the packaging industry where he served as Vice President of Sales for Stewart-Sutherland Bag Company in Kalamazoo, MI, and Vice President of Marketing for Bessire & Co., Inc., in Indianapolis, prior to launching his own business. Matt founded Marketing Concepts and grew the packaging company before selling the successful business in 1997.

With his deep Christian values and strong leadership skills, Matt recognized a missing link between Christianity and the workplace and sought to incorporate Godly principles into the daily lives of business owners and leaders. To that end, in 1998 Matt co-founded Truth At Work, a unique marketplace ministry dedicated to raising up Christian leaders adopting Biblical truths in the workplace. Over the last 24 years, Matt’s care for people, desire to share the truth of the gospel, and skill in building personal and business relationships, helped grow Truth At Work from the original chapter in Indianapolis to currently over 50 chapters and 525 members across the United States. Part of Matt’s legacy is the many hundreds of businesspeople who were impacted and loved by him as he modeled true servant leadership.

Matt is survived by his wife, Sandy, of Noblesville, IN, and four daughters: Brenda (Jim) Barclay, Nashville, TN; Rhonda Daly, Indianapolis; Paula (Tom) van Gorder, Great Falls, VA; Nyla (Scott) Wolf, Noblesville. In addition, Matt leaves behind his eight grandchildren: Travis (Erin), Tyler (Jennifer), and Ryan (Kristen) Barclay; Hayley (Patrick) Raley, Grant and Hannah van Gorder; Ansley (Tim) Affolder, Alec (Maribeth) Wolf; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Matt’s Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, September 18, 2022, 4 p.m., at Heartland Church, 14900 East 126th Street, Fishers, IN, 46037. No visitation will precede the service. The Celebration will be streamed live for those unable to attend. A reception with light refreshments will be held at the church immediately following the Celebration of Life.