Ryan Marcellus Petefish (1990 - 2009)
Ryan Marcellus Petefish, 19, of Canton, passed away at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, in East Peoria.
He was born Jan. 18, 1990, in Pekin to Kimberly (Derry) Watkins of Canton and David V. Petefish of Virginia. They survive.
Surviving is stepfather Mark Watkins; and one sister, Carson Petefish, and one brother, Konnor Petefish, both at home. Also surviving are paternal grandmother Irene Petefish of Virginia; maternal great-grandparents, Darlene Derry of Canton and Gerald and Marvalee Cunningham of East Peoria; maternal aunts, Jennifer Derry of Columbia, Mo., Sherry (Richard) Vosberg of Peoria and Kathy (Ron) Hays of Groveland; and paternal aunt, Carolyn Petefish of Springfield. He will also be missed by best friend and lifetime buddy Austin Snider of Canton.
Ryan made his home with his maternal grandparents, Dr. Gregory and Susan Derry of Wee-Ma-Tuk, Cuba, Ill.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Victor Petefish; and maternal great-grandfather Bernard Derry.
Ryan was a gifted fisherman and held trophy prized awards in Canada. He was also an avid bow hunter. He loved to spend time on a riding mower and worked with his grandfathers. He was working on the family farm in Virginia. Ryan attended Canton High School and then moved to Keokuk, Iowa, and graduated from Midwest Academy with a 3.0 grade point average. He had recently completed classes at Spoon River College and Monday of this week had started Illinois Central College Heating and Air Conditioning program. He had a zest for life and could make you laugh. He will be sadly missed.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton, where visitation will be 3-6 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to services on Monday. The Rev. Delmar Smith and the Rev. Roger Russell will officiate. Burial will be at Walnut Ridge in Virginia at the Petefish family plot. Memorials may be made to the Ryan Petefish trade school memorial for Canton High School in C/O MidAmerica National Bank. Online condolences are available at
http://www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.
Published in Jacksonville Journal-Courier from August 29 to August 31, 2009