Ryan Lee Smigiel
March 15, 2018
Ryan Lee Smigiel, 24, of Essexville, our most brave, courageous, and loving son, brother, nephew, grandson, cousin, Dad of Buddy, and loyal friend was called home to meet his Heavenly Father on the morning of Thursday, March 15, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Ryan was born in Bay City on June 3, 1993, the son of Rodger and Donna (Hendrix) Smigiel. A 2011 graduate of Garber High School, Ryan was the Homecoming Duke and active in the music and theatre departments. He enjoyed golfing, tennis, and was the #1 Michigan State University fan. Ryan’s vibrant personality was larger than life, and his smile would light up the entire room. For the past 40 months, Ryan put up an excellent fight against DIPG. He had a true gift of being able to relate to anyone, from any walk of life. A true servant of the Lord, Ryan was a member of Trinity St. James Lutheran Church in Munger. A hero to many, and a friend to all, Ryan’s joking, kind-hearted, and devoted ways will live on for years to come. Ryan leaves to carry on his legacy, his father and mother, Rodger and Donna Smigiel; siblings, Tiffany (Eddie) Switek and son, Collin; and Spencer Smigiel; grandparents, Roger Smigiel and his wife, Irene and James and Sylvia Hendrix; beloved dog, Buddy; aunts and uncles, Diana Martin, Darlene (Terry) Alldredge, Dodd Hendrix, Leon Hendrix, Stephen (Becky) Hendrix, Derrick (Tish) Smigiel, Randy (Shelli) Smigiel, Dennis (Chris) Smigiel, Joy Smigiel; his devoted caregiver, Laura McIntosh, along with many cousins and countless friends. Ryan was welcomed home to heaven by his grandparents, Patricia Smigiel, Arthur Dodden “A.D.” and Helen Wall, and his aunt, M. Sharon Robnolte. Ryan’s family will be present to receive visitors on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM at Skorupski Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 955 N. Pine Rd., Hampton Twp. To accommodate the outpouring of love and support for the Smigiel Family, Ryan will be taken to St. Jude Thaddeus Parish (St. John the Evangelist Church), 614 Pine St., Essexville on Thursday, March 22, 2018, where visiting will continue from 9:30 AM until Ryan’s 11:00 AM Funeral Ceremony. Rev. Michael Stahl will officiate with interment to follow in Elm Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the wishes of the family. The entire family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to their Trinity St. James church family, especially Pastor Stahl, John VanDenBoom, Heartland Hospice, Henry Ford Hospital, A&D Home Health Care, Consumers Energy, and their faithful Fight With Smeegz Facebook supporters for their love and support. The family is also most grateful to The Translational Genomics Research Institute of Phoenix, AZ, where Ryan’s tumor was donated, for their commitment to furthering DIPG research. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www.skorupskis.com.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
My heart is heavy with sadness! As you go forward, with comfort and strength knowing that he’s with the Lord. Prayers, much love, to the Smigiel family!
Donna and family-
So sorry for your loss. He was such an inspiration to me and he was such a warrior. Prayers to you all!
My thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan’s friends and family. Ryan’s smile is what I will remember. #fightwithsmeegz from Alpena.
I love you guys.
My thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s entire family. Ryan you were and always will be the strongest willed person I have ever known. My heart is crushed, the only thing that makes it bearable is knowing you are pain free now. You my friend, the #1 Spartans fan ever! RIP my friend. Fly high! I promise you will never be forgotten. You have made an imprint on so many hearts. I know you will be the greatest Angel watching over your family and friends. Until the day we meet in heaven, I’ll never forget the strong warrior you were. ????
Our prayers are with you. We know Ryan has his wings and flying all over heaven.
To the Smigiel family. My deepest condolences to you all. God’s comfort for you. We will all miss Ryan, but we will also have beautiful memories of him. It touched a lot of lives very deeply including mine. Love you all.
Fly high Ryan, you are so loved
Donna and Family,
Our deepest condolences to all of you on the loss of Ryan.
He was such an inspiration to all.
Ryan will always be in our hearts.
Jackie and Logan Blossom
Logan Blossom
God bless you, Ryan……our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
My love and subdued strengh surrounds you all. His strength and bold and positive attitude is how i shall honor him. I cannot imagine. Yet I know positive energy will return as you remember the exceptional person Rryan remains in all our hearts. JANET RN HFHCS RADIATION ONCOLOGY
Ryan is in heaven with Danielle they are having a great time they were great friends Arielle prayed for Ryan every night but she is happy he is with her mommy
Prayers and hugs to you Donna and your entire family. What a courageous young man. May your memories hold you all tight during this very difficult time.
I am so very sorry for you and your family. I wish I could have met this brave young man. He must have lit up the room when he entered. I would imagine he did the same in Heaven today. From all accounts Ryan possessed a strength and graciousness way beyond his years.
The hardest part of being a parent is always that fear for your child, that something or someone will come along that you can’t protect him from. Maybe you couldn’t protect him but you know in your heart that you fought right along side Ryan in this battle. May God help you through the coming months, you’ll stay in my prayers.
Kathy Barney
RIP Ryan, so sorry, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I had the pleasure of going to Garber with Ryan and we both were involved in a couple musicals together. He always had a smile on his face and he was a very kind person. God grant your family peace and comfort you. God grace Ryan with the full blessings of Heaven.
God bless you Ryan you will always be in my prays
God Bless Ryan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now.
Prayers and hugs to you Donna, Roger, Tiffany and Spencer. Thinking of you all during this very sad time. Ryan was an incredible young man and has touched so many lives with his kind heart. He will truly be missed.
God bless and strengthen this family as they cope with this unfathomable loss. I have faith that Ryan is our newest advocate in heaven and will continue to shine his love, comfort and support upon those who need it most.
So sorry for your loss. I will keep your family in my prayers. He was a great kid.
So sad to hear of Ryan’s passing. I’ve followed his journey for 2 years and it’s like I’ve lost a brother. He was so strong and was always so fierce in his fight. He’s with his Father now–and we all have a wonderful guardian angel. Prayers to all of u and he will always b in mine!!
Donna and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. May you be comforted by your memories and knowing that Ryan was welcomed into the Kingdom of God.
Prayers to the Smigiel Family
Fly High Ryan, you fought a good fight now pain free!!
R.I.H.
So very sorry for your loss. Ryan was a special guy that made an impact with those he worked with. May he Rest In Peace and enjoy his next journey with no pain and suffering. God Bless you all.
Rodger, Donna and family?? There are no words enough to express our sorrow for everyone. The only comfort is knowing that Ryan is whole again with God, as he was needed in Heaven to be a Beautiful piece of God’s Castle. We will treasure the memories of Ryan always being a gentle giant, his wittiness and contagious Big Smile. Our hearts are with you,
Love Bob,Lotta and kids- Kelley’s
I was my pleasure to meet Ryan and his family he was a very special one young man and I’m sure he will be truly missed . GOD now has other angel to keep my son company . Bonita Braxton Radation oncology nurse
Spencer and family, we have you all in our thoughts and prayers. Ryan was such a wonderful community member and he will be missed by many! God bless and give your strength. The Spartans have been given a #1 angel and we’re certain he has a great seat for the tournament!
Dear Donna and family:
You and your family have my deepest sympathy. I have followed all of your post and followed the amazing and inspirational person thatRyan was. My heart breaks for all of you but I know Ryan has his arms around all of you during these difficult times. Prayers to you all.
Paula Olson
Houghton County
So sorry for your loss. I don’t you guys but I have seen Ryan in physical therapy and Facebook. What an inspiration he was to everyone. RIP Ryan.
Ken & June VanOoteghem
I’m very sorry of your most precious loss. Ryan was an inspiration to so many and always so upbeat despite what he was going through. His love and legacy will live on in those who’s life he touched.. Rest in peace my friend.
To the family of Ryan, I remember the first time I really got to know your family. It was when you all got together along with Rachel and Brad, and gave my son and daughter in law a beautiful wedding & reception. It just shows what wonderful people you all are
Ryan was so full of life and always had a smile that could make anyone smile.
You all showed us how to keep faith and to never give up and to keep fighting. He will be missed by so many people.
God bless you all during this difficult time.
My condolences to the Smigiel Family, so sorry for your loss. Rest In Heaven Ryan
My deepest condolences on the loss of your son. The loss of a loved one is never easy, even when anticipated, it is certainly even harder when they are taken from us too soon. May your memories of Ryan and the love of your family and friends surround you and give you strength and peace in the days ahead.
Donna and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. You have all been in my thoughts and prayers.