In the early morning hours of November 7, 2025, the Krolikowski family said goodbye to cherished son, brother, and uncle Matthew (Matt) Krolikowski. Matt was born on August 16, 1965, to Thaddeus (Ted) Krolikowski and Sue Krolikowski (nee Farley) in Detroit, MI. Matt had an active youth including spending time in the Cub Scouts as well as the high school wrestling team. During this time Matt showed a keen interest in history and devoured books on a variety of subjects including World War II and the Old West. Matt also enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors with his late grandfather Bruce Farley. In 1987 Matt enlisted in the United States Navy, eventually attaining the rank of Machinist Mate. He was assigned to the USS El Paso based in Norfolk Virginia and served honorably until being discharged in 1993. Matt was proud of his service in the Military and benefited greatly from the many assistance programs provided for veterans. Matt’s life from 1993 to 2003 was marked by intense personal and professional challenges but he never gave up on himself as he sought to find his way through life. Finally in 2003 Matt relocated from Virginia to Laughlin Nevada where he began life anew with a fresh clean slate. Matt worked for three casinos in the Laughlin area (Colorado Belle, Pioneer, Edgewater) and his career evolved from a lowly coin runner to eventually being a valued member of the casino accounting team. Matt often likened his job to “managing a big checkbook.” He was valued by his colleagues for his detail oriented approach to his job and always being able to “get to the bottom” of a problem. Matt also became a valued member of the parish community at St John the Baptist during this time. Laughlin suited Matt very well and he would likely have told you that his time there was the happiest period of his life. Matt enjoyed spending time with family. He was easy to travel with and affable to just about any kind of visiting arrangement. There were many enjoyable trips to places like Yellowstone National Park and Mackinac Island for Matt and his parents. His brother Joe traveled to Laughlin on a nearly annual basis and the two of them would often take long rides in the car visiting places like Oatman or Lake Havasu City. His sister Margaret would occasionally include Matt on her geocaching adventures while visiting him out west. All of Matt’s family remember him as a jovial man with a big laugh who told engaging and often hilarious stories about the past (sometimes with a bit of embellishment.) Matt was predeceased by his mother Sue Krolikowski and is survived by his father Ted Krolikowski, brother Joe Krolikowski (wife Teresa Krolikowski), and sister Margaret Krolikowski (husband Robert Kimmelfield), as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces. A funeral mass will be celebrated for Matt at St. Joan of Arc of St. Clair Shores, MI on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 10AM. This will be preceded by a brief informal gathering at the church starting around 9:15AM. All are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers the family asks you to consider making a donation to St. John the Baptist of Laughlin, NV in Matt’s memory.