Rylan W. Smith

Cayuga, Ind. - Rylan W. Smith, 28, of Cayuga, died unexpectedly on Monday, September 6, 2021.

He was born June 28, 1993 in Champaign, Illinois. He was the son of Sara (John) Wegman of Cayuga, Indiana and Larry R. Smith of Columbia, South Carolina.

Rylan was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents: Wayne (Betty) Kizer, and paternal grandparents: Ray (Vivian) Smith.

He is survived by his parents, his grandparents: Sam (Rosemary) Wegman of Morton, Illinois; his sister: Kanae` Smith and her fianc Alex Thomas of Dana, Indiana; his brothers: Dreyson Smith of Longmont, Colorado; Ty (Amber) Smith of Breau Bridge, Louisiana and Kerry Smith of Danville, Illinois; his family of blended nieces and nephews: Kyler Eldridge, Nevaeh Eldridge, Bleighton Short, Carmen Short, McKenzie Thomas, and Evan Thomas, and several aunts and uncles. Rylan is also survived by his special friend: Jennifer Stinson and his wonderful dog, Wrigley.

Rylan graduated from North Vermillion High School in 2012, and from Indiana State University in 2016 with a BS in Insurance Risk Management. Rylan was employed at the Access Together with Lighthouse Autism Center in Fishers, Indiana where he worked with kids with autism. Rylan loved all sports and was a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, Indiana Pacers, and the Indianapolis Colts. He enjoyed playing volleyball with his group of friends from Indianapolis, and hanging out with all of his lifelong friends from Vermillion County. Rylan also got a kick out of watching Adam Sandler and Jason Statham movies and playing video games with his nieces and nephews and their friends. He was the #1 Funcle for all of his blended nieces and nephews, as he would play with them and entertain them to their heart's content, whether it was water gun fights, hide and go seek, or just playing pile on Uncle Rylan. Rylan was loved by every life that he touched, and a kinder soul could never be found. He would light up any room that he entered with just his smile.

There will be a visitation to celebrate his life at DeVerter Funeral Home in Cayuga, Indiana on Saturday, September 11, 2021 from 2 to 6 p.m. EDT. Cremation will be followed by a private graveside service on a date yet to be determined at Hicks Cemetery near Perrysville, Indiana. Donations may be made in Rylan's memory to the Lighthouse Family First Foundation at 1827 East Ireland Road, South Bend, Indiana 46614, Riley Children's Hospital Burn Unit or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. #InsanityIsDoingTheSameThingOverAndOverAgainAndExpectingDifferentResults #SuicideAwarness #RylansLight