Rev. Matthew Walter Pickut
Rev. Matthew Walter Pickut died on Aug. 6, 2015, at a nursing facility in Carmel, due to complications from a brain injury that resulted from a strep infection.
Matthew was born on Oct. 29, 1973, in New Jersey to his parents, Walter and Patricia (Winter) Pickut. He graduated from Taylor University in Upland in 1996, earning a Bachelor’s Degree with majors in Sociology and Bible. He married Barbara (Blackford) Pickut on July 5, 1996.
Matthew began his career in ministry as the Youth Minister for Flora and Bringhurst United Methodist Churches. He went on to serve as a Student Local Pastor at the Monon United Methodist Church, where he served for seven years while attending Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He obtained his Master of Divinity degree from AMBS in 2008. In 2007, Matthew came to Plymouth First United Methodist Church, where he served as Associate Pastor until his illness in Feb. 2010. He also had the privilege of helping coach the Plymouth Community Schools speech and debate team.
Matthew loved Jesus Christ and found joy in serving Him. He sought to share truth in a way people could relate to, to reach out to those who did not identify with the church, to help people recognize the work of God in their lives, and to encourage others to discover and use their gifts. He was interested in a wide variety of topics and was an avid reader, particularly enjoying the work of G. K. Chesterton. He was also an enthusiastic sports fan who covered Arena Football games for a website for a period of time. Matthew is remembered for his humor, his intelligence, his joy in his daughter, and his love for others.
He is survived by his father: Walter (Nancy (Juriga)) Pickut, Jamestown, N.Y.; brother: Bill (Rebecca (Dedo)) Pickut, Northbrook, Ill.; his sister: Cait (Charles) Lamberton, Pittsburgh, Penn.; wife: Barbara E. Pickut; and daughter: Abigail Ruby Pickut, Plymouth. He was preceded by his mother: Patricia (Winter) Pickut.
Rev. Pickut’s life and faith will be celebrated in a service at Plymouth First United Methodist Church at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10. Calling hours will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, and from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10. He will be buried in the Lust Cemetery, Chatfield, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Plymouth First United Methodist Church, Plymouth, the Plymouth Community Schools Speech Team, Plymouth, or the Indiana Assistive Technology Act Project, Indianapolis.