Matthew Mckellan Juniper, age 25, of Wellston, formerly of Nelsonville, Ohio, passed away August 30th, 2025, in Wellston, Ohio, as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic accident. 

Matthew was born, May 24th, 2000, in Athens, Ohio, to Eric and Jamie Juniper. He was a police officer for the city of Wellston; a member of the Wellston Police Department SRT team; and former deputy of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office; a former volunteer fireman for York Township; he loved volunteering for The local festival (The parade of the Hills); he was also very community oriented: he was a devoted father; a supportive older brother; and an amazing son; he enjoyed dirt biking, hunting and fishing, as well as kayaking; he also loved his 2 dogs Duke and Willow. 

Surviving are his parents Eric and Jamie Juniper of Nelsonville; younger sister Jaden Juniper (Fiance Jacob Dickendesher) of Nelsonville; son Maddox Jason Juniper of Wellston; grandparents Dorothy Juniper of Nelsonville, John (Leslie) Perry of Nelsonville; his aunts that he has many special memories with Melanie Stanley, and Merihelen Hatcher of Missouri; Laura (Mike) sayers of Idaho; uncle Christopher Williams of London, Johnny (Jaala) Perry of Nelsonville; Melanie (Mark) Loudner of Nelsonville; Jeff (wendy) Kazz of Nelsonville; Emma Henry (Maddox’s mother) of Wellston. As well as several great aunts and uncles, and many cousins that he spent lots of summers with. 

Matthew was preceded in death by his grandfather, Doug Juniper, great-grandmother Jerri Smith, and his Grammy (Meta Ackley)

Calling hours will be observed 4-8 P.M. On Wednesday, September 3rd, at the funeral home,

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 4th, from 3 P.M., with the funeral services starting at 4 P.M. at the Warren-Brown Funeral Home in  Nelsonville, Ohio, with Officer Michael Jardenick of the Wellston Police Department officiating. Following the funeral services, the family would like to ask Matthew’s friends and loved ones to come to a memorial dinner hosted by the York Township Fire Dept. at 15255 Elm Rock Rd, in Nelsonville. In place of flowers the family asks for donations to made to the K-9 unit of the Wellston police department for the K-9 and officer Brant Darrow who was involved in the accident as well.