Matthew R. Wilson, 32, of Crystal Lake

Matthew R. Wilson, 32, passed away peacefully Nov. 2, 2012, at Little Angels Center for Exceptional Care in Elgin.

Matthew was born Sept. 19, 1980.

Life in the Wilson family was forever changed on the evening of Aug. 6, 1992, when Matthew was a passenger in an automobile accident at the hands of a drunk driver. Up to that moment, he was a typical soon-to-be 12 year old who loved sports and his cats. 

After ten months of hospitalization for a traumatic brain injury, Matthew was finally able to return home.  His complex medical needs were tended to by a dedicated staff of home care nurses.  We will forever be in their debt.  As our health insurance benefits were exhausted, we made the difficult decision to place Matt in a care facility.  In August 1996, Little Angels became Matt’s new home, a decision we never regretted.  Matt spent the last 16 years of his life surrounded by the loving and caring staff of Little Angels.   

He is survived by his parents Stephen Mitchell and Melody J. (nee Zimmermann) Wilson, and maternal grandmother Dorothy Zimmermann McVeigh. 

He was preceded in death by his sister Brooke Wilson (1998), paternal grandparents Stephen M. Jr. and Ruth S. Wilson, and maternal grandfather Richard C. Zimmermann.

A celebration of Matthew Wilson’s life will be held Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at Little Angels, 1435 Summit St, Elgin, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.

Memorials in Matt’s name may be made to Little Angels, 1435 Summit St., Elgin, IL 60120. More information is available from Davenport Family Funeral Home in Crystal Lake.