Ryan Rapert

Clyde, Ryan Michael Rapert, age 23, went to his heavenly home on April 15, 2009 after a sudden illness at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. A native of Marion, Ohio, he was the son of Debra Key Rapert and the late Gary Rapert. Ryan graduated from River Valley High School in 2004, serving as Valedictorian of his class. He was currently attending Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and graduated from The Ohio State University Magna Cum Laude in 2008 with a B.S. degree in Middle Childhood Education, where he was a member of three honorary societies and tutored many students in a variety of subjects. Ryan was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Marion, OH where he was a worship assistant. While in seminary, Ryan attended Ascension Lutheran Church in Columbia, SC where he also assisted with worship. Ryan loved all sports, especially baseball and went to visit major league stadiums with his Dad. He was also a computer whiz and was an active member of Little People of America. Ryan had a very generous, giving and loving spirit who helped anyone he ever met. He will be especially missed by the "four leggeds" as he lovingly referred to the family yorkies Bert and Ernie. To read Ryan's full story, please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/ryanrapert In addition to his mother, he is survived by his maternal grandparents, Earl and Donna Key of Marion, OH, paternal grandparents Kenneth "Joe" and Peggy Rapert, of Springfield, VA; aunt, Diane Armstrong, and her husband, Kevin, of Cincinnatti, OH; uncle, Mark Rapert, and his wife, Doris, of Staunton, VA and uncle, Kelly Rapert, of Elizabethtown, TN; cousins, Alyssa and Steven Armstrong, Jessica and Brittany Rapert and Jordan and Bethany Rapert; a special friend, Vince Iocona and his mentors, Pastor Mark Schuring, Reverend Dan Kiger, and Father Charles Allen. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at the Palace Theatre Pavilion 276 W. Center Street, Marion, OH with Pastor J. Weston Jones and Pastor Mark Schuring officiating. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. Family will receive friends Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Boyd Funeral Home, 122 W. Columbia Street, Marion, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, 4201 N. Main Street, Columbia, SC 29203 or The Little People of America, Inc., 250 Lel Camino Real, Suite 210, Tustin, CA 92780.

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