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Matthew Remke, fourth generation owner/operator of local grocery chain, loses battle with cancer


Matthew Robert Remke, 41, of Villa Hills, passed away in the early hours of Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 at his home after a battle with cancer.

He leaves his wife of 15 years, Andrea Lynn (Dominello) Remke, 41, and their children; Brayden Matthew, 10, Mia Frances, 7, Therese Gloria, 7 and Payton Andrea, 5. He is survived also by his parents, William R. Remke, of Petersburg, Sherrill Vocke Remke of Villa Hills; his sisters, Monica Remke Cymerman (Michael) of Denver and Lauren Remke Overmann (Justin) of Villa Hills; his aunts Martha Remke Suetholtz, Jean Remke Koester, Roberta Remke Dreyer, Marie Denise Vocke, Nina Vocke Hinkel and his uncle Robert Kim Vocke, several cousins; 20 nieces and nephews: Emma, Jack, Alex, Cole, Leah, Max, Molly, Jacob, Nathan, Zachary, John Luke, Bethany, Daniel, Olive, Carlee, Alexis, Samantha, Cole Robert, Ava and Liam; and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Robert W. Remke, Frances Remke Collins, Carl Robert Vocke and Helen Therese Vocke and his aunt Phyllis Remke.

Matthew was a life-long resident of Northern Kentucky where he was a well-known and decorated swimmer. A record he and his relay team set in 1990 at Beechwood Swim Club in Fort Mitchell still remains unbroken today. He was a 1994 graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati where he was a member of several state championship swimming teams.

He graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame in 1998, and graduated Cum Laude with a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame in 2006.

Matthew was the fourth generation to run his family’s independently-owned grocery business, Remke Markets, and was the President at Remke up until its sale in early 2017.

Remke Markets released this statement regarding Matthew’s death:

It is with heavy hearts that we grieve the loss of Matthew Remke, 4th generation Owner/Operator of Remke Markets. Matthew passed away Sunday, November 19th after a noble and brave battle with cancer. Matthew was an inspiration to us all, and we, his Remke Markets family, are blessed to have had the opportunity to know him and the privilege to be a part of his life. Please join us in keeping the entire Remke family close in your thoughts and prayers in the moments and days ahead.

Remke had previously been a volunteer member of the Petersburg, Ky. Fire Department and took helicopter pilot flying lessons. He was an active donor and fundraiser for both the National Kidney Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and Children’s Hospital Cincinnati. He was a parishioner at St. Joseph Church, Crescent Springs.

Matthew battled unexplained kidney failure / disease at age 17, but lived a normal, healthy life with a transplanted kidney for over 20 years. He was in good health and active when he developed cancer in 2016. He enjoyed vacationing with his wife and children, swimming, hiking, working out, attending his children’s sporting events or sharing a good bourbon with his friends.

The family would like to give special thanks to the medical staffs at The Christ Hospital Kidney and Hypertension Center, Hematology and Oncology, The Mayo Clinic and the University of Cincinnati Radiation and Oncology Departments. Memorials may be made in his honor to the National Kidney Foundation of Greater Cincinnati 615 Elsinore Pl #400, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 24, 2017 at Middendorf Funeral Home (3312 Madison Pk. Ft. Wright, KY 41017) from 4-7 p.m.. A Catholic funeral mass will be at St. Joseph Church (Crescent Springs,) on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 1 p.m. with burial to immediately follow at Mother of God Cemetery. Online condolences can be left at www.middendorf-funeralhome.com .

Middendorf Funeral Home and Remke Markets


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