"Matt Bynon had a love of life."

Those were the words given by friend Edith Moyer during the funeral service held for Bynon yesterday morning at the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home in Tamaqua.After having fought a courageous battle against cancer, Matthew M. Bynon, 39, passed away Wednesday in his home on North Lehigh Street."As I sadly reflect on my past days with Matt, I stress certain words that describe him," Moyer said. They are protect and serve, leadership, strength and 'LOL (short for laugh out loud or lots of love). LOL is the most important, because it is the reason that the other three words are present in the biography of Matthew Bynon."'LOL' is the backbone, the start-up, support and continuance of all four. Like water to a plant, LOL makes the other three qualities grow and empower."A funeral procession, lead by about a dozen police vehicles and fire apparatus, filled the full length of Broad Street as hundreds came out to remember Bynon. People could be seen along the procession route holding their hands over their hearts or giving salutes.Police departments from Tamaqua, Coaldale, McAdoo, Fleetwood, West Hazleton, Walnutport, Jim Thorpe, Rush Township, Kline Township, West Penn Township were part of the long procession. Also taking part in the service were members of the Tamaqua Rescue Squad, all four Tamaqua fire companies, as well as all surrounding fire companies. During the service at the Odd Fellows Cemetery, members of the Tamaqua American Legion also provided a 21-gun salute, played Taps and performed the presentation of the flag to Bynon's widow.Bynon spent most of his life serving others. A 1991 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the

U.S.S. West Virginia as a cook. He later attended Lackawanna Police Academy in Hazleton, which eventually led him to serve as a police officer in Kline, Rush and Ryan Townships, before accepting a position with the Borough of Tamaqua, where he served from 2008 to 2011.Fully devoted to the community, he served as a member of the

F.O.P., American Hose Fire Company and the American Legion Post 173, all of Tamaqua, and was a past captain and director of the Tamaqua Rescue Squad. In addition to these organization, Bynon was a member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua, and numerous other community service organizations.Born in Lehighton, he was the son of James and Marsha (Valentine) Bynon of Tamaqua. He was also preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Virginia O. Bynon; an uncle, William Bynon; and a cousin, Billy Bynon.Surviving in addition to his wife Sherry M. (Edmond-son) Bynon are a daughter, Alexis Higgins; two sons, Connor Evans and Zane Bynon; two brothers, James J. II, and his companion, Lisa Marton, and Michael R., and his companion April Card; and his maternal grandparents, James and Kathleen Valentine; all of Tamaqua; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.Friends have set up a Matthew Bynon Memorial Fund at the Mauch Chunk Trust Bank.