Saying Goodbye To Matthew Holland

Funeral Service For 19-Year-Old Football Player

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A packed gym in Barnesville for the funeral service of 19-year-old Matthew Holland. The Mayville State football player passed away Saturday from seizures just two days after his birthday.

It has been a devastating few days for the Barnesville and Mayville communities. Matthew Holland’s many friends and family filled the gym to say goodbye to the son, friend, athlete and student. The sounds of Kenny Chesney and Luke Bryan fill the Barnesville gym. They were Matt’s favorite songs.

Bryan Strand was Matt’s principal and football coach. He shared a special moment between Matt and his father, Chad Holland, at Matt’s high school graduation which was just eight months ago. 

“I stood here and said Matthew Richard Holland. I turned around and he had this big old smile and he just waltzed across the stage and he gave his dad a huge Matt hug,” said Strand.

He talked about number 88’s competitive and loyal nature.

“Matt shoots the three-pointer, his hands stay up there and he back peddles, and it goes in. Matt had a huge arch. He probably could have gone to both sides of the court before it landed. He follows back and as soon as it goes in he turns and flies up the court like this, just gliding.”

He had a love for superheroes, which led his close friends to wear Batman ties.

“I think he just loved the idea of being above everything else and just being great which Matt was,” Strand says.

And most importantly, Matt had a unique ability to bring laughter and happiness to those around him.

“Matt had many sides but the side that stands out to me is the young man that loved to make others laugh and smile,” expresses Strand.

Matt had a history of seizures. Principal Strand mentioned a speech Matt gave his senior year of high school where he talked about how dealing with his medical condition taught him to live every day to the fullest.