Ryan Michael Meyer, age 32, passed on into the loving arms of our God on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. He fought a long, hard battle with addiction and lost the good fight that morning. The light and love he brought to the world will be sorely missed. He is survived by his fiancée, Joanna Jordan, his children, Emmeline (8 months) and Isaac (4 years), his father, Donald Meyer, his brother, Evan Meyer, his aunt and uncle, Sally and Danny Richeson, cousin, Tabitha Richeson, and was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn Meyer. He also leaves behind countless friends and family who loved and cherished him.

Ryan was born at St. Francis Hospital on July 21, 1984 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He spent his entire life in Indianapolis and surrounding areas. He had very fond memories of growing up on Delaware Street and spending time with his friends including Bradley Mitchum and Bryan Caldwell. His little brother held a special place in his heart and he often spoke of the years growing up together playing, fighting, chasing, and torturing each other. When he spoke of his childhood he fondly remembered countless family camping trips, a RV trip across the country, and spoke of the happy family he remembered having.

His mother was very special to him and he often spoke of her kind voice, her gentle touch, and her unconditional love. He remembered her patience with the boys and her eagerness to participate in play with them. She lost the battle with addiction on November 20, 2000, which shattered his world and he never completely recovered from it.

Ryan was a skilled carpenter and started working for the family business at 15 years old. He very quickly became a highly skilled, talented tradesman. Later, his brother joined the company and Ryan loved having his family together in the business. He spent countless hours working alongside his dad and brother and loved the constant playful banter and opportunity to discuss worldly views with those he valued most. His sense of humor was refreshing and unique, he would regularly have us all laughing to the point of tears.

Ryan felt deeply, passionately, and fiercely about his family, love, and life. Those of us privileged enough to be loved by him felt that love through and through. He frequently would go out of his way to help a loved one, or even a complete stranger he saw in need. His compassion and empathy were incomparable. When he felt the pain of those he loved he would do anything to try take that from them.

Ryan was the only father my son, Isaac, has ever truly known. He was not his father by blood but was in the incredible love he had for Isaac. Emmeline was his first biological child and was born during his recent incarceration. It broke his heart to miss my pregnancy, her birth, and the first 8 months of her life. He came home March 15, 2017, and truly relished every moment he spent with our family. In that short time, I could see what an incredible father he was. His patience was endless as was his desire to be a part of every moment of their lives. He loved taking time to enjoy the small things. He never got frustrated or lost his patience when the baby wouldn’t stop fussing or Isaac asked him for the 65^th time to do something. He was always thinking of them first and trying to think of ways to make their childhoods memorable.

Ryan was an incredible partner whose love was pure and complete. He was my biggest cheerleader and constant supporter. I knew, no matter what, he’d always have my back in all things. Even in things I knew he didn’t completely agree with, if it was important to me, he would shower me with encouragement and support. He was one of the only people who could present opposing viewpoints to me in a way that wouldn’t make me defensive and would help me listen and see the world in new ways. He constantly sought to build me up by telling me how proud he was, how capable he thought I am, that he thought I was a great mother, and that I could do anything. Really, it was Ryan who could do anything. He was so determined, resourceful, and intelligent, he could conquer the world if he’d set out to.

Those of us who were fortunate enough to know this beautiful soul will cherish him forever.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday April 8, 2017, at Indiana Funeral Care at 8151 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Visitation starts at 10 am followed by the service at 12 pm. Following that you are invited to join family and friends at a local restaurant to be announced later.