Matthew Louis Brown (1980-2026)
Matthew Louis Brown, 45, of Sycamore, IL passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 10, 2026, while on an afternoon run with his wife, Amanda, near their home. Matt was born April 12, 1980, in DeKalb, IL, to Charles and Martha Brown. He is survived by his wife of more than 20 years, Amanda Rae, and their two children, Charles Robert (13) and Annette Rae (11); his parents, of DeKalb, IL, and sister Laura Elizabeth, of Barcelona, Spain; his in-laws, Robert and Sharon Fuka, and his sister-in-law, Michelle Schelling (Michael), of Dyer, IN. He was “Uncle Matt” to Samantha (13) and Isabella (10), and a beloved nephew and cousin to many.
He was predeceased by his brother Michael Charles, (1/31/2009), his grandparents Robert and Rita Brown, Louis and Helen Louise Briggs, and Beatrice Davenport Briggs.
Growing up in DeKalb, IL, Matt developed an early love of learning, public speaking and community involvement. He was active in 4-H, forensics team and high school theater, where his confidence and humor shined on stage. He later attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning a BS in Economics in 2002, a BA in Political Science the same year, and a JD from the College of Law in 2005.
After law school, Matt began his legal career as an associate with the Chicago firm of Sachnoff & Weaver, Ltd., later continuing his work after its merger with Reed Smith, LLP, before joining his father at Brown Law Group in 2010. He was a member of the DeKalb County, Illinois State and Florida State Bar Associations, the Illinois State Bar Association Trust and Estate Section Council, and the DeKalb County Community Foundation Estate Planning Advisory Committee, where he shared his expertise in service to his community. Matt was compassionate and respectful, knowing that the legal work he engaged in with clients could involve stressful and difficult times for families. He handled each interaction with respect and grace, making sure everyone was heard across the generations.
Matt had a zest for life that drew people to him. While on a University of Illinois bowl game trip in 1999, his enthusiasm attracted his wife Amanda, a fellow Illini, to join him in building an elaborate Illini sand sculpture on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale. That student trip led to a proposal and eventually a wedding in Jamaica on March 22, 2005. Together they built a home filled with warmth for their children, Charlie and Annie. Matt took great pride in helping them grow, whether through academics or activities like soccer, music, and dance. He was endlessly supportive and encouraging, always nudging them to enjoy and explore their passions.
That zest for life showed up in the details he loved to plan, whether organizing the logistics for an Illini football game or mapping out a family cruise to escape the Illinois winter. He joyfully arranged everything in advance, searching out the best routes, meals, and experiences so that others could simply enjoy the journey while he quietly ensured everything went smoothly.
Friends, clients and family remember Matt as calm, thoughtful, and deeply compassionate, someone whose steady presence made difficult conversations feel manageable and whose curiosity was contagious. He was a scholar at heart, and he generously shared what he learned with others. His legacy continues in the gentle guidance he offered to his friends and family, the care he showed his clients, and the sense of adventure he passed on to his children.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 18, 12:00 – 4:00pm at Finch Funeral Home in DeKalb. A private memorial service will be held at a later time. Memorial gifts can be directed to a fund of your choice at the DeKalb County Community Foundation: https://dekalbccf.org/