Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Ryan Hitchler Obituary
Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. William Pavuk will officiate.
Burial will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery.
There will be a gathering of family and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at All Faiths Funeral Home.
Mr. Hitchler was born Dec. 5, 1983, at Grand Island, to Rodney and Sheri (Knuth) Hitchler.
Survivors of his immediate family include his parents; a brother, Alex Hitchler of Grand Island; his grandparents, Elaine Hitchler of Grand Island and Leroy and Rita Smith of Minden.
Also left to cherish his memory are Ryan's uncles and aunts, Kathy and Bill Bartunek of Grand Island, Rich and Mary Hitchler of North Platte, and Doug Knuth of Wood River; numerous cousins and many friends.
Ryan grew up in Grand Island and attended Shoemaker Elementary School and Westridge Middle School, and graduated from Northwest High School in 2002. He attended Southeast Community College in Lincoln. He was planning on attending University of Nebraska at Kearney in the fall.
He was a grain bin contractor and worked in construction.
Ryan enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing X-Box. He was blessed with many wonderful friends.
In this time of sorrow, Ryan's memory will live on through tissue donation that will benefit many others.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Harold "Babe" Hitchler and Bill Knuth.
A memorial fund will be established in Ryan's memory.
Condolences may be sent to www.giallfaiths.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ryan Hitchler
Ross Hayman
May 31, 2009
Dear Rod, Sheri & Alex
It brings get sadness to myself knowing two of my friends who I have known since Dodge School have suffered a terrible loss. My thoughts are with your family and my prayers are with your son Ryan.
God Bless You All
Suzanne Oldham
May 25, 2009
We are so sorry to hear of this devastating loss. My Mom always enjoyed hearing about your family through Sheri whenever she was at the hospital. So sorry. Suzanne Oldham and Joe Gallagher
Joyce Peckham
May 25, 2009
Sheri, Rod, and Alex,
I just heard of your loss. Time and distance have no bearing when you hear such tragic news. My heart goes out to you all and I will keep you in my prayers.
I was with friends at the time and shared some funny stories I remembered about Ryan. We all chuckled with tears in our eyes.
With sincerest symapthy,
Joyce Peckham
May 24, 2009
Dear Hitchlers,
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
With sincerest sympathy,
Becky (Schneider) Holtje
Brandon and Alycia Packer
May 23, 2009
Rod and Sheri,
We are so saddened to hear about the tragic loss of your son. Please know that so many are thinking of you at this time. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Take care of each other during this time.
Brandon and Alycia Packer
May 22, 2009
Dear cousins,
There are no words that can express how sad we are for your tragic loss.
We hope that you can find some degree of peace in your hearts. Be kind to yourselves.
With Love, Jeff & Laurie Oldham
Nancy Schroeder
May 21, 2009
Dear Hitchlers,
It was with great sorrow that I read of Ryan's untimely accident and today was his memorial service. Thank you for remembering others by sharing in tissue donation in Ryan's memory. I was Ryan's Vocal Music Teacher at Westridge and remember him well for his love and zest of friends and life. We remember you in prayer as you mourn and celebrate the life of your son. May the Peace of God that passes all understanding, be yours.
Nancy Schroeder
Gaylon & Dianna Hitchler
May 21, 2009
So sorry to hear of your tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Lemonte Burns
May 21, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Ryan and his smile and uplifting spirit will certainly be missed. He touched so many many lives in his short time while here on this earth. He will most certainly never be forgotten.
Tina Hieb
May 21, 2009
Sheri and family,
I was so very sorry to hear of the loss of your son. Know that I am thinking of you, and saying a prayer for you Sheri. God bless all of you at this very difficult time.
ReGina & Quinton Hessheimer
May 21, 2009
Our prayers and deepest sympathy are with you during the loss of your son Ryan. We are so sorry that you all had to endure such a tragedy. We wish Ryan were still here with us. May GOD watch over your son and give you all strength and peace during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always.
Patrick Saylor
May 21, 2009
May God bring you peace and strength during this sad time.
Sharon Nolan
May 21, 2009
Rod, Sheri and Alex;
Our children are not supposed to race us to Heaven. But, when they do we can cherish those memories of the time they shared with us.
I cannot begin to express how sorry I am that you will be going through so much pain. Know that I am thinking of you and that "Tom" has already scooped him up and is showing him around that great place.
Know that I will think of you often and will be praying for you to heal a little each day.
Sandy Petzoldt
May 21, 2009
Rod, Sheri & Alex
It is so hard to believe that Ryan won't be around to peak his head into my kitchen with that bright smile of his, like he has done so many times when ever Heath was back from chicago.
From our family to yours, our hearts are heavy now but the memories of Ryan and how his smile could light up a room, will keep us healing with time and his memory will live on with us.
Steve, Sandy, Heath, Heather, Hilary, Holly Petzoldt
Dan & Monnica Thiel
May 20, 2009
Rod,Sheri,& Alex
We are so sorry to hear of your lose. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
J, Alisha & Paris Lautenschlager
May 20, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mary Conley
May 20, 2009
Rod,Sheri,& Alex
Our thoughts and prayers are with you . May God wrap his loving arms around all of you and hold you close. May you feel his presence and love as you work through this difficult time.
Mary, Danny and Matt
Mark & Nita Beam
May 20, 2009
Rod & Sheri,
We'll be in Topeka for Gabe's graduation from Kaw Valley Vo Tech or we'd be accompanying Splichals tomorrow. You have our most sincere sympathies. We loved the times we spent with you guys in North Platte.
Kelle Callahan-Thomsen
May 20, 2009
May God continue to bless you and your family during this difficult time! Your memory will forever live on! It was an honor and a privilege to call you a friend! I'm going to miss that huge grin you always had on your face.
"God saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped his arms around you,
and whispered, “Come to me”.
You didn’t deserve what you went through,
So He gave you rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best
And when I saw you sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain
I could not wish you back
To suffer that again."
~Unknown
Karla Stutzman
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri, and Alex
We are so very sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Kevin, Karla, Channing, and Aaron Stutzman
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri and Alex,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike, Vicki & Katie Nelson
Lea Schneider
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri and Alex
I am so sorry for your loss. I have a lot of fun memories of Ryan from middle school and high school. Your family will be in my prayers.
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri & Alex,
Your family is in our family's thoughts and prayers during this very, very difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss and pray that God will be right by your side as you begin to heal.
Scott & Connie Madison
Dwayne&Judy Hitchler
May 19, 2009
You are in our thoughts and prayers!
May 19, 2009
Our prayers and deepest sympathy are with you and the many familes in which Ryan has touched, there are so many who have been lucky to know his warmth and smile.
Steve McMullen and Family
Pam Johnson
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri, and Alex:
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time loss and grief. Trust and believe in the many wonderful memories of Ryan. I know there are so many great ones. I will call you soon Sheri to do lunch and chat. I can picture Ryan already in Heaven fishing with his Grandpas. Take care and God Bless.
Love, Rick and Pam Johnson
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri & Alex,
We are so sorry for your loss. We cannot begin to understand the emptiness in your hearts. May the wonderful memories you have of Ryan give you strength and peace at this most difficult time of your lives.
~Todd, Michelle, Sophie & Alec Sawicki
May 19, 2009
Rod and Sheri, my thoughts and prayers are with you guys, little ry was such a sweetheart I remember him when he was little and me and jules would put make-up on him always such an easygoing guy he is going to be missed tremendously! all my luv and prayers to you and your family! Love, Amanda Heiden(Dodge) and family
Randy & Mary Ann Campbell
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri & Alex
Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this time in your life. May God watch over your son and give you strength and comfort in the days ahead.
Kim Willman
May 19, 2009
Hitchlers,
Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of Ryan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always.
Kim, Lisa, Daryn, Kamryn & Lauryn Willman
Lee and Donna Wagner
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri & Alex,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the strength of your family and your faith guide you through this tough time.
Jeff Adams
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri, Alex
Words cannot express the grief your going through nor can anyone even think they can imagine. Your memories of Ryan will stick with you every day, in time you will remember only the good ones. Words from a poem are so very true:
If Tears Could Build A Stairway and Memories a Lane
I'd walk right up to Heaven and Bring you Home again.
Our Family will pray for yours.
Jeff, Julie and Austin Adams
May 19, 2009
Dear Rod, Sheri and Alex
We are so sorry for your loss. Words can not describe our heartfelt sadness. I remember when Ryan was just a baby and he always had that beautiful smile. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love Steve, Cheri and Delaney Freese
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri & Alex,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May your memories bring you comfort.
Brad, Nancy, Lindsay & Lucas
Butch and Deb Lukes
May 19, 2009
You are in our thoughts and prayers....
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri and Alex,
We are so sorry for your loss-we remember when Ryan was born and how excited you were to have a son and the cute picture of him in the porcelin bowl. These are the memories we will all hold on to forever. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Friends forever,
Paul and Lori Syverson
May 19, 2009
May the Good Lord give you peace...
Brian Gallagher
May 19, 2009
Rod, Sheri and Alex,
Our deepest sympathy to you for the sudden loss of your son and brother, Ryan. All of the wonderful memories during his short life will help to make this loss bearable in the days, months and years to come. Hold tight to those memories! Love, KC, Deb, and Kaitlin Hehnke
Showing 1 - 38 of 38 results
Make a Donation
in Ryan Hitchler's name
Memorial Events
for Ryan Hitchler
How to support Ryan's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Ryan Hitchler's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
