Services set for local victim in Colo. shootings

Visitation for Matt McQuinn, one of the 12 victims slain in the movie theater shootings in Colorado on July 20, will be 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm Friday at Maiden Lane Church of God in Springfield.

The funeral is set for 10 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be at Lawrenceville Cemetery in Clark County.

Meantime, the church announced Monday afternoon that it has established a fund to help offset the expenses for McQuinn’s services.

McQuinn attended Maiden Lane as a youth and young adult before moving to Colorado in November 2011. He was very active in the church’s youth group. Matt seldom missed an opportunity to attend activities and spend time with his friends, according to the church. Several peers remember him for his laid back personality and infectious laughter. In many circumstances, Matt was one to often remain calm and help those around him. His care and concern for others was apparent, and he strove to be a better man.

These character traits were obvious while on a youth trip to Chicago. The group was divided into smaller cells and each person given $3 to live on for the day. This was done to simulate what it would be like to live as a homeless person. McQuinn’s group reached out to many people in the inner city, and his group chose to give their money away, recognizing there were others who could benefit more from their collective gift.

McQuinn also played bass guitar as part of the church’s worship team.

“Our church family grieves with the Jackson, McQuinn, and Shaffer families as well as Matt’s girlfriend, Samantha Yowler, for their loss and will continue to pray for all the victims of this tragedy,” the church said in its statement released Monday.

Yowler, one of the 58 wounded, is recovering in Colorado. She was hit in the leg. Her brother, Nick, was not injured in the attack. McQuinn was shot and killed as he shielded Yowler from bullets fired by the lone gunman who was taken into custody after the shooting. The gunman, James Holmes, appeared in a Colorado courtroom on Monday.

The church has established a fund to help offset the expenses for Matt’s service and arrangements. The church asks that checks be made payable to Maiden Lane Church of God, 1201 Maiden Lane, Springfield, OH 45504, noting Matthew McQuinn service in the memo section.