Obituaries

November 14, 1989 to April 23, 2014

WINAMAC -  Spc. Ryan P. Grandstaff, 24, of Winamac, died at 4:45 a.m., Wednesday, April 23, in Katterbach, Germany as a result of an automobile accident.

He was born on Nov. 14, 1989 in South Bend.

Survivors include:

Paul (Shannin) Grandstaff, Winamac, Father
Tammy Hopkins (Steven) Huskins, Rochester, Mother
Kyle (Monica) Grandstaff, Royal Center, Brother
Sean (Breann) Grandstaff, Winamac, Brother
Carol Ann Grant Grandstaff, Winamac, Paternal Grandmother
Harold & Thelma Button Hopkins, Winamac, Maternal Grandparents
Elizabeth Grace Grandstaff, Niece
Eliza Kelly Grandstaff, Niece
Braylee Elysse Kough, Niece
Step brothers and sisters: Dakota Lane Heims, Julianna Katherine Heims, Hannah Marie Huskins, Heidi Lynn Huskins,  S. Luke Huskins, Ethan Ryan Huskins, and Jonathan Dakota Huskins.

Spc. Grandstaff graduated from Winamac Community High School in 2009. He ran on the high school track team where he was a co-record holder on the four-by-one-hundred relay team. He loved playing football and continued his football career at Anderson University. He then attended Vincennes University for aviation technology.

He was employed at Braun Corporation and Plymouth Tube before joining the military. He joined the U.S. Army Oct. 2, 2012 and became a crew chief on a Blackhawk Medivac Helicopter. He was stationed to Ansbach Germany on April 27, 2013. He loved flying and playing on the Illesheim Black'N Blue Rugby Team. He enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing and shooting archery. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved people. He will be sadly missed by his friends and family.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday, at Church of the Heartland, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (May 3), at the church, with Pastor Jon McDougle and Pastor Chad Richie officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Wounded Warrior Project or to a fund to assist his comrads who are travelling to Ryan's funeral from Germany.