Funeral date for Shropshire birthday tragedy man
The funeral of man who died on his 20th birthday after attending a Halloween party at a skate park near Oswestry will be held next week.
Matthew Jones, of Johnstown, Wrexham, died in the early hours of November 1 after he was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital when he fell ill.
He had gone to the party with friends to celebrate his birthday attending a Halloween party at the Academy Skate Park in Oswestry.
His funeral will be held on November 19 at St Mary's Church in Johnstown at 11am.
Paying tribute to their son his family have said they want the funeral to be a celebration of his life.
Mr Jones, who was known as Matty, went to Ysgol y Grango, and was an apprentice plumber. He worked for the Holt Lodge Hotel in Wrexham. He was a talented footballer who played for Rhos Aelwyd Football Club.
His parents, Geoff and Andrea Jones, have thanked the number of people who have paid their respects to their son.
In a tribute Mrs Jones said her son was a happy lad, always smiling.
"That is how we will remember him. We could never shout at him because he just used to laugh at us and we would end up just laughing with him," she said. "The house is just so quiet without him. We are going to miss him so much.
"He was just such a happy-go-lucky lad and nothing bothered him, he never let anything bother him. Matthew always went to parties and the last one he is going to is his own.
The grieving couple said the didn't want their son's funeral to be sombre.
"We don't want to see all the young lads in black suits. We want it to be a celebration of his life."
Donations in lieu of flowers will be given to Rhos Aelwyd FC in memory of Mr Jones. At its game following his death members of the club held a minute's applause in his memory.
Following his death, tributes poured in for Mr Jones, who was well known across the area.
Mr Jones also played for Johnstown Youth FC and the club held a minute's applause before the match following his death. Llion Adam Drake, club manager, said Mr Jones would never be forgotten at the club.
He added: "Matty is a Johnstown lad and he had many connections with the club and his best friend still plays for us.
"He'd still come down if there was no match. We placed his number 8 shirt in the centre circle and had a minute's applause."
Tributes were also paid by Richard Watkin, manager of the Holt Lodge Hotel in Wrexham, where Mr Jones worked. He said: "Our thoughts are with Matty Jones's family, a gent of a young man who I had the pleasure of employing. It is tragic news."
Friend Katie Hughes, from Llangollen, said: "Never be forgotten. Everyone had a soft spot for Matty."
And Nisha Buffey, from Rhos, said: "Still can't get my head round it, absolutely gutted. Rest in peace Matty you'll be missed. Thoughts are with the friends and family."
An investigation was launched by West Mercia Police following Mr Jones' death.
A 38-year-old man from Oswestry was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and supplying class A drugs.
The man has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
