Matthew Robert Rheaume, age 36, born September 27, 1988 in Boston, Mass., passed away February 25, 2025 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., following complications from living with cancer.
One of three children born to Luke and Martie, nee Quinlan, Rheaume, Matthew grew up in O’Fallon after the family relocated to Illinois from New Hampshire. Active in Cub and Boy Scouts, Matthew earned his Eagle Scout award and completed two trips to Boundary Waters. A proud Marching Panther, Matthew graduated from O’Fallon Township High School in 2007. He attended Eastern Illinois University, where he majored in Chemistry. His love of lab processes and knack for understanding the machines in the laboratory continued in his work as a chemist for Nestle Purina Analytical Laboratories. Matthew enjoyed playing board, card, and video games with friends. His loved ones already miss his epic one-liners and grins.
Matthew’s resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity throughout his life inspired those around him. Cancer threw many plot twists in his journey, but Matthew always managed to find a way to bring out the best of every situation. From his pirate costumes and naming his prosthetic leg, “Smith,” to party tricks and spontaneous sarcasm, Matthew’s good humor and laughter soared. His dedication to supporting others facing cancer led to his seat on the board of HIS KIDS (Happiness Is Serving Kids in Distressed Situations) Cancer Support and serving as the activity director at their annual summer camp for kids with cancer and their siblings. We will happily remember his renditions of “Cool and Creamy” and “Sharp Tooth Buzzards,” his favorite songs to lead at camp. Matthew’s family remains forever grateful to the many teams of healthcare professionals who provided support for Matthew through the years, particularly at Cardinal Glennon, Memorial, Siteman Cancer Care, and Barnes Jewish Hospital.
Surviving Matthew are his parents, Luke and Martie Rheaume and sister Beth Rheaume of O’Fallon; brother Mark (Sarah) Rheaume of Iowa City, Iowa; grandmother Bea R. Rheaume of Mesa, Arizona, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Memorial donations may be given in Matthew’s honor to HIS KIDS to continue supporting families facing childhood cancer.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2025 and continue 9:30-11 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O’Fallon, Ill.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m., at the church, with Fr. Nick Junker presiding and Msgr. William Hitpas concelebrating. A celebration to honor Matthew’s life will follow in the Parish Hall. Matthew will be interred with his grandparents in Dedham, Mass., at a later date.
