Matthew Benjamin "Matt" Small

Matthew Benjamin "Matt" Small, age 22, of Adrian, MI, passed away, June 22, 2017.  He was born August 30, 1994, in Adrian, MI, the son of Kirk & Laura (Stringer) Small. Matthew was a native son of Adrian. He graduated from Adrian High School with Honors and received a scholarship to attend Adrian College where he graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts.  His true passion in life was his family & friends.  Matthew brightened the day of everyone he came in contact with.  He befriended those that were overlooked by others and was kind to them and everyone else he met.  Matthew used his art as a way to express his emotions.  He used his senior art exhibit to make a statement about protecting the environment and loving the earth.  His preferred medium was clay and he willingly shared bowls, dishes and incense burners with all his friends.  He is survived by his parents, Kirk & Laura Small, his sister, Courtney (Michael) Padden, his brother, Todd Small, his grandparents, Frank Small and Frank & Dolores Stringer, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Jewel Small and his great grandparents.  Funeral Services will be held 12:00 PM Thursday, June 29, 2017, at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, 2959 N. Adrian Hwy (M-52), Adrian, MI, with Fr. Tom Helfrich, OSFS, presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Adrian, MI.  Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and also on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM & 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Adrian, MI.  www.PurseFuneralHome.com