The 21-year-old accounting major from Bainbridge Island died from a heart condition known as endocarditis, his family said in his obituary. The condition causes inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, on Bainbridge Island at the Latter-day Saints Chapel on High School Road.

“He helped make my freshman year. He was good friends with everybody on the [residence hall] floor,” said  Gaphni's friend Andrew Larson, a senior at Western.

Gaphni’s family will be honoring his memory by setting up a scholarship in his name at Western. To make a contribution to the scholarship, visit wwu.edu/give and write “Matthew Gaphni” in the designated line to ensure the gift is attributed.

For more information, visit the Cook Family Funeral Home’s website at cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.