Rev. Matthew G. Geerdes

Rev. Matthew G. Geerdes, beloved by many, died peacefully at home, Friday, March 6th, 2026 at the age of 49 years and 1 month. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee on February 6, 1977 and raised by parents Karen and George where they lived in Germantown and in Shelby County, Tennessee.

• Matt attended and graduated from Houston High School (HHS) with Honors, AP credits and was a National Merit Finalist. During high school years he owned and rode horses for fun and in shows, successfully competed as a high school wrestler where he wrestled with his HHS team at the Tennessee State Championships, and rose through the ranks of Boy Scouting culminating as an Eagle Scout.
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He attended St. Luke Lutheran Church and was active in youth events, attended many youth forums which, along with his high school Sunday School teacher Mr. E, shaped his faith and was where Matt built lifelong friendships that continue today. He took piano lessons for years and his talent grew with his love for music; teaching himself guitar and multiple other instruments and included setting up a home practice and recording studio with his close friends. They continued writing and playing music together after high school even at long distance from different universities and the music beat is ever stronger and goes on today among those talented men.

• Matt was awarded scholarships to Texas Lutheran University (TLU) and graduated with Honors with a major in Theology, mastered Hebrew and Greek, recognized later for Systematic Theology and also sang and traveled with the well-known TLU Choir. During his college years, he met and became engaged to Priscilla who joined him to reside in Texas during his senior year and they were married in 1998. Matt and Priscilla proceeded as husband and wife to be seminary students at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, where they earned Master of Divinity degrees. Matt and Priscilla were called jointly and ordained as pastors to serve two Lutheran churches in IL including St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Roberts (SPLCR) where they served for over 20 years; also serving Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Elliott, IL. During the years in IL in Matt’s off hours, he also continued his passion to write and perform music as schedule permitted. Matt was a lifelong lover of sports and outside activities, Memphis BBQ, and the Memphis Tigers Basketball and Football teams never had a more loyal fan.
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• Additionally, Matt developed a meal program for the students and community at Agape Campus Ministry of Illinois State University, where he began as a board member, but later served as their campus pastor for 12 years. In 2024, Priscilla was called to be the Assistant to the Bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod.
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• Matt moved to Indianapolis once his call was completed in Illinois. He served as needed as supply pastor and was called as interim campus pastor to Ball State University and currently was finishing a master production of his latest songs with the studio and also continued to write. He traveled to Tennessee multiple times and provided medical support for his mother and father since June 2025.
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• Matt is survived by his wife Priscilla Beth Hunter Geerdes, their two children Lily Margaret Geerdes and Isaiah Matthew Geerdes; mother Karen Teresa Reed Geerdes and father George Henry Geerdes; sister Julie Teresa Geerdes Lindow and her husband Matthew Edward Lindow, their children Victoria Rose and Jason Edward; aunt, Virginia Hoyt Geerdes; uncle, Peter H. Geerdes and wife Cheryl, children Jessalyn and Mike; children of uncle, Robert Geerdes (deceased) and wife Rosemary Lane Geerdes, children Keith Robert Geerdes and Lynn Susan Geerdes Cansler, husband Mark Cansler and their 4 children. He is preceded in death by Grandparents: Margaret Hoyt Geerdes and Herbert Henry Geerdes; Eva Camp Reed and Troy Harris Reed.
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• A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026, 1:00pm at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 445 E Stop 11 Rd., Indianapolis IN 46227, with visitation from 11am-1pm.
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In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to: No More Deaths (nomoredeaths.org), Habitat for Humanity (habitat.org), or a life-giving ministry of your choice.