Matthew was a minister of the gospel for 10 years, having served the Fourth Street Church of Christ in Selmer, Tennessee for 13 months. Matthew departed this life on March 22, 2006 in Selmer, Tennessee at the age of 31 Years, 4 Months, 1 Day.

He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Mary Carol Winkler of Selmer, Tennessee; three daughters: Patricia, Allie and Breanna Winkler, all of Selmer, Tennessee; two brothers: Daniel Winkler and wife Holly and Jacob Winkler and wife Lane, all of Nashville, Tennessee; maternal grandmother Eloise Boyd of Arlington, Texas; paternal grandmother Betty Winkler of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and father-in-law Clark Freeman of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Funeral services were on Tuesday, March 28, 2006, at 11:00 AM at Fourth Street Church of Christ with Dan Winkler and Eddie Thompson officiating. Burial followed at 3:00 PM at Carroll County Memorial Gardens in Huntingdon, Tennessee. Shackelford Funeral Directors of Selmer were in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up for the children: Winkler Family Fund, 229 Ward Circle, Suite A-23, Brentwood, TN 37027.