Mateo “Mattie” Banegas
December 2, 2006 - July 22, 2025
Mateo “Mattie” Banegas, 18, of Smyrna, Delaware, passed away on July 22, 2025. Born on December 2, 2006, in Christiana, Delaware, Mateo brought light and joy to those around him from the very beginning.
A recent graduate of William Penn High School and a former student at Smyrna High School, Mateo was known for his vibrant personality and deep sense of loyalty. He had recently enlisted in the Army National Guard, a testament to his dedication and desire to serve.
Mateo received his strength from God and had a wide range of passions that reflected his energetic spirit and creative soul. He loved playing basketball, skateboarding through the streets with friends, immersing himself in video games, and expressing himself through music and art. His keen eye for fashion and sneakers made him stand out—he had a unique style that was all his own.
He will be deeply missed by his loving parents, Yimy and Kimberley Banegas, his stepmother Yerika Banegas, his stepfather Joseph Brown, his sisters Kiara Banegas and Madix Brown, his brother Matias Banegas, and his grandmothers Peggie Ruark and Maria Banegas. Mateo also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, and cousins who cherished him dearly.
Mateo’s fun-loving nature, caring heart, and unwavering loyalty touched everyone he met. Though his time with us was far too short, the love he gave will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew him. May his memory bring comfort and strength to all who mourn his loss.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 12 noon until 2 pm on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 2 pm. Interment will be held privately.
There will be a place to hang pictures. We would love for you to bring picture memories, notes, or stories of Mateo, to add to the board.
Scott Wittwer
Shannon and I send our sincere condolences for your loss! Know that you have many friends to lean on!
Carmen Salinas
Mis sentidos pésames y oraciones, que Dios traiga paz a sus corazones en este doloroso tiempo.🕊 🙅♀️🙅♀️
Dominic
My condolences for your loss. Mateo was a good kid and genuinely nice person to be around. May he rest peacefully.
Fenix
My condolences for the loss of someone who is very loved, it was an absolute honor to get to know how wonderful, funny, and sweet he truly was. Rest peacefully Mateo.
Elida
I’m sorry for your loss. God bless you all
Oscar Banegas
Tu paso por esta vida ah sido muy corta, pero llenaste a todos con tu presencia, Dios decidió llevarte a su lado, pido a Dios fortaleza para toda la familia pensado en reencontrarnos un día.
Corbit and Nancy Norman
💙 We just wanted you to know that you have constantly been in our prayers since we heard the news about Mateo. We are so very sorry for your loss. We just pray that God will carry your family through this difficult time.💙
Amber
We are deeply sorry for your loss I was one of his managers at Burger King we always talked about what he was going to do when he graduated! He always expressed his love for his siblings! When I would bring my 3 year old son to work with me Mateo always interacted with him. He was a hard worker , always willing to give a helping hand . He was so happy to graduate ! And to begin a new chapter in his life , he had some hidden talents , he always joked around with everyone at work . Most importantly he wanted to make his parents proud of him he wanted to give back. He was a great kid he will be missed dearly!!! 🪽🪽🕊️🕊️
Nehemiah
He was a brother to me I’ve know him since we were kids we always played the game and basketball infront of his grandmas house.
My condolences to him and his family i truly can’t even express how much he meant to me through the hard times he was there it is sad to see a brother gone
Jesse
Can’t believe it. Me and Mateo were close friends and he always knew how to make you laugh. Gone too soon. Long live Mateo
Joel R.
Our hearts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Mateo. May you find peace and comfort during this difficult.
Sky Zone Newark
On behalf all the staff at Sky Zone Newark, we are very sorry for your loss and send our deepest condolences to Kiara and your entire family. May he rest in peace.
Col. William L Witham Jr, (Ret)
So sorry to learn of your loss. May God be with you always and give you strength and peace.
Bhavna Suchak
My condolences for your biggest loss. Really sorry about that. May he rest peacefully God bless you.
Praveen Jana
I wish Mateo’s family strength and peace during this difficult time. We at Graver are here for you.
April Bell
I once read a short story based on a true story that has since stuck with me. It was a sweet story about childhood loss, but its last words stayed with me for their truth, beauty, and sorrow.
“Everything that you love,
you will eventually lose.
But in the end,
love will return in a different form.”
Matty, our grief is for your life that was too short and a love we lost too soon. While I believe in the truth of that story, it will be some time before we’re ready to allow love to overcome our grief.
Rest in peace
And know you will always be loved
Sent with love – April and Jimmy
Justin
My condolences, I’m very sorry for your loss. Long Live Mateo🕊️ we’ll see you again one day bro
Kwame
My condolences to him and his family, it’s sad to see you go at such a young age ready to take the next step in your life. Till we meet again Long Live Teo🕊️
Jaidyn
Mateo kid im so sorry i love your life kid ill never forget all the talks we had all the phone calls all the ups and downs u was my twin from a different family kid im still hurting about u and i live in your name