Sgt. Matthew Lee Israel, 28, passed away on July 7, 2025 at his Jacksonville, North Carolina residence, where he was based in connection to his prior service with the U.S. Marines.

Born in Stockbridge, Georgia to Michael Lee Israel and Catharine Mary Anderson (née Mooney), Matthew grew up in Ellijay, Georgia, where he honed his love for family, animals, auto mechanics, riding dirt bikes, fishing and any other reason to enjoy the great outdoors. His passion for adventure continued into adulthood as he parlayed his talents into service for his country as a United States Marine beginning in 2017, earning the rank of Sergeant. Sgt. Israel was a highly decorated Marine, earning seven medals, two ribbons, and an individual award.

Matthew loved and was loved deeply by his family, including his beloved girlfriend Wiktoria Hamamoto and his trusty sidekick and beloved pet, Mudpie.

Matthew is survived by his father Michael Lee Israel of Ellijay, and his mother Catharine Mary Anderson of Stockbridge and her husband James Walker Anderson; his siblings Christian Mary Johnson and her husband Joseph Steven Johnson of Ellijay, Chelsie Lynn Mize and her husband Kyle Patrick Mize of Ringgold, Ga., James Edgar Tucker (Jamie), Cheyenne Mathews, Isaac Roberson, Kyle Roberson, and Mitchell Lane Israel, and cousins; his paternal grandparents James A. Israel Jr. and Georgia Elaine Israel of Locust Grove, Ga., and maternal grandmother Susan Mary Mooney of Ellijay, Ga. Matthew is preceded in death by maternal grandfather, David Lauer Mooney.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 at 12:00 p.m., noon, from the Chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home with full military rites by the North Georgia Honor Guard. Following the service, the Patriot Guard Riders will escort the coach to Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA where Sgt. Israel will be inurned at 3:00 p.m. Military Rites by the United States Marine Corps will be rendered at the cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until the service hour of 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Gilmer Veterans Memorial Committee, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), or your local American Legion in Matthew's honor.

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is entrusted with these arrangements.