Matthew “Matt” Lars Engberg
Age 64, of Otisville passed away peacefully at home on Monday, August 24, 2026. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family on Matthew’s tribute wall at detroitcremationsociety.com.
Matthew “Matt” Lars Engberg was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter and Jean (Perkins) Engberg. Matt fought a hard battle against a terrible disease for the last 5 years, and is now home with our Lord. Matt loved God and talked with Him often. His favorite passage of Scripture was Psalm 23, which held a special place in his heart. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend who loved his family and cherished every moment spent with them.
Matt was a proud Marine and lived by the values of loyalty, courage, and dedication. He treasured his time in the military, especially the years he spent flying helicopters. It’s been a dream of his to get his pilot’s license. After his military service, Matt worked as an airplane mechanic before transitioning into repairing and maintaining sterilizers and other hospital equipment. He had a natural gift for working with machines and excelled at solving problems and figuring out how things worked. Matt was strong, stubborn, brilliant, and fearless, yet he was also kind and sweet and had a playful spirit and a tremendous capacity to love. He had a tough exterior but could be a big softy and often said he was “only crusty on the outside.” He loved deeply and had one of the biggest hearts anyone could know and one of the most generous people to those in his life and those he would come to meet. He made donations to the animal shelter as well as women’s shelter.
An outdoorsman through and through, Matt loved all that God had created. He found joy in hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He also enjoyed gardening and cooking and took pleasure in working with his hands and creating and building new things. Matt had a special love for animals, and his beloved dog, Cooper, held a particularly special place in his heart. His faith, strength, generosity, playful nature, and immense love for his family will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Left to cherish his memory are wife Julie; son Allen Engberg (Karlee) and their children Hunter and Avery; daughter Amanda Pettengill (Brady) and their children Grayson and Kalvin Pettengill; father Walter Engberg, sister Annette Fox, and sister Jill Engberg; and his nieces and nephews.
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These words are such a beautiful tribute and truly captured what a special person Matthew was. I reflect back to many precious memories of us cousins growing up together and all the adventures we shared along the way. Those are memories I will always treasure and carry close to my heart. I’m so grateful for all the laughter, and fun we shared., It was nice reminiscing with you not too long ago. Those childhood days may be behind us, but the memories will always remain. ❤️ Praying for you all during this difficult time.
A beautiful tribute to a strong man, a man who valued God, his Country, and his family. Matt, I pray you rest in peace.
Wow such a wonderful tribute. Matt was truly one of kind and we were so Blessed to have him as part of our family. One of my many memories that stick out of me was when my family and Matt and sister Laurie and son allen all lived in California. We had so much fun times reconnecting and doing many family things together. I will always cherish that. Rest in peace Matt we love you, Dawn and Ed Jakubik
When I first met Matt, I was not expecting to feel I had met my soul mate. We talked every night after that and had all summer to hang out and get to know each other. He will always be one of the most important people of my life, and along with him, his family who I loved from the first meeting. His Mom taught me many life lessons, that I carry to this day, and I know she has welcomed Matt into her heavenly world with aching arms. She loved that boy. So for that I can smile, knowing he it’s with her again, but maybe a few more tears first.
We are so sorry to hear of Matt’s passing. May he find eternal peace in Heaven with Jesus and his mother, Jean. Our prayers are with all of you 🙏🙏🙏
I’ll see you on the other side brother ❤️
I don’t remember much about him since the last time I saw him I was so little but the way you and our family spoke about him tells me he was a blessing on this Earth. He is in a better place now where he isn’t feeling any pain. I’m sending so much love and prayers your way, you will meet again. XOXO