Ryan Andrew Craft
1999 -2021
Ryan Andrew Craft (21) was born on September 20, 1999 in St. Louis, Missouri to Mike and Debbie (Burkhardt) Craft. Ryan found peace after a tragic car wreck on September 2, 2021.
Ryan loved life and had courage to try anything and usually excelled at it, whether it was academics, baseball, basketball, or golf. He graduated from Mehlville High School in 2018 and competed at State in golf. Fishing and friends were two of Ryan’s most favorite things. Ryan was a kind, gentle, compassionate, and hardworking young man with a great sense of humor. He wanted to make everyone happy. He lit up every room he entered leaving a smile on all faces. He was a student at Fontbonne University majoring in Business Administration. Ryan was engaged to the love of his life, and girlfriend of six years, Elizabeth (“Lizzie”) Koeller.
Ryan accepted Jesus and was baptized at St. Louis Family Church in Chesterfield. He is a member of Rooftop Church where years ago he enjoyed youth group.
In addition to his parents and fiancé, Ryan leaves behind his older brother, David; grandfather, William Craft; Aunts Donna Vagen and Lisa Armstrong; Cousins Samuel Vagen, Brandon Caroll, Morgan Caroll, Jonathan Armstrong. He will be missed by a large extended family and many many friends, as well as his dogs Pomegranate and Indigo.
Visitation: Tues Sept 7, 3:00 pm -9:00 pm at Kutis Funeral Home in Afton, 10151 Gravois Avenue
Service: Wed. Sept 8, 11:00 am with visitation at 10:00 at Kutis Funeral Home in Afton
Graveside: Park Lawn Cemetery
In lieu of flowers remembrances in honor of Ryan may be sent to NAMI St. Louis, 1810 Craig Road, Suite 124; St. Louis, MO 63146 https://www.namistl.org/get-involved/donate/
Ryan’s a good, kind, Godly young man. I’ll miss his presence. Let me know if you need anything.
More than a friend but a brother. The things we went through together. I’m going to miss you like crazy. You’ve been a big part of my life and always will be. You’re one of the best friends I’ve had. I’ll always remember to throw a cast out for you. Love you Ryan
Prayers for the Craft family and Lizzie and friends.
My sincerest condolences, Ryan was a very kind young man, I went to school with him and I will keep him and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry for your loss! i’ll pray foryou and the rest of your family.
My deepest sympathies and love are for you, and your family. May God comfort you. You are all in my prayers.
My condolences go out to Ryan’s family and everyone who loved him. Ryan was truly a great man who everyone loved and I’ll never forget the memories we share as classmates and basketball players in middle school. He will truly be missed.
Always a kind soul, and a great guy to be around. Gone far too soon
My sincerest condolences to the Craft family and Lizzie. Ryan was one of my sons closest friends. I watched him grow into a fine young man. I am grateful I was able to see him recently.
Continued prayers.
Sending all my thoughts and prayers to the Craft family and Lizzie during this time. Ryan was a wonderful young man and will be extremely missed.
My deepest condolences and prayers for your family.
May God comfort you all.
Sending our thoughts and prayers from the Fewell family to the entire Craft family. We are so sorry for your loss.
Mike– I am so sorry for your loss. I will be thinking of you and your family constantly, praying for you in this time of unimaginable grief. Love to you my dear friend.
Sweet Ryan, I called you my Grand Baby at work. I cared deeply for Ryan. Kind. intelligent, hard working, are just a few of his qualities. Ryan spoke to me often about Liz the love of his life.
Ryan’s fiance, family, dogs and friends will miss him daily.
I was fortunate to have him in my life for a short time. God Bless and hold you close Ryan.
There are no words to express how your heart must be breaking .
I’m so sorry for your loss . You are in my thoughts and prayers .
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers and peace for all of you.
My deepest sympathies to the Craft family and to Lizzy. There are no words that will make this terrible sadness less for you. Ryan was simply one of those people that put you at ease, liked a good conversation and had a smile that could light up the room. So glad my boys had you as their friend. God Bless you all.
Sending my thoughts and prayers out to the Craft family. Ryan will be truly missed by all those who knew him. I was never the closest with him but he left a lasting impression on me and i’ll never forget him. Great guy and great friend!
So sorry to hear this. Ik his dad from
Mehlville and his mom went to church with us.
I feel terrible for Ryan’s family, friends, and fiance.
Ryan, we were never especially close and we never knew each other outside of Mehlville, but I did like you a lot as a person and I thought you were a pretty cool dude. Really wish we could have been closer friends and done things together outside of class. Having classes with you was great and it was nice getting to know you when we first met sophomore year in AP World History. It’s really sad to hear that you passed and it’s just heartbreaking to see yet another classmate of ours go so young so unexpectedly. I was really hoping we’d be able to meet up again at a high school reunion someday and I could hear about all the great things you’d done that I expected of you. You’ll be missed, my man. Best wishes to all your loved ones and I hope you all can have some peace.
My dear Debbie,
I am at a loss for words!
My heart is torn!
You are always in my heart and prayers.
You know if you ever need me I am here for you!
Love
For the last six years, Ryan has brought great joy to the Koeller family with Elizabeth at his side. It will not be the same without him, and our hearts are deeply saddened.
Our sincere condolences on your families loss. We are thinking and praying for your family. Ryan sounds like a special young man and he will be deeply missed. Prayers from the Sizelove family.
Mike, Gary and I are in your prayers, there is nothing more painful than the loss of a son. He is watching over you now, and loving you
Sincerest sympathies to all. I was Ryan’s preschool teacher. When I saw his name in this morning’s Post Dispatch my heart sank to the floor. What a handsome and funny guy he was at Holy Tots. He lit up the classroom. Everyone was his friend and he was everyone’s friend. I can even remember which chair he sat in and at which table. Praying God’s Peace, Jesus’s Love and the Holy Spirit’s Comfort will abide with you. Much love, Miss Mary
Mary Winkelmann now Ludwig!
Mike and family,words are not enough to say how sorry we are for your loss of Ryan. Think of all the happy times you had with him. Mac enjoyed watching him play basketball. You will be with him in your next life. God needed a special Angel for a special someone! Prayers and our love go out to your family.
To a sweet boy whom we shall miss at
bbq’s,,parties,graduations, garage sales,
And other Koeller gatherings,
You have always been helpful and good
Natured to us grandparents Thanks for loving our sweet granddaughter.
I am sure you shall be reunited in heaven.
I helped train Ryan at work, and, though I only knew him a week or two, his love for his family, girlfriend, friends, and strangers was abundant and amazing. He was one of the nicest, funniest, trustworthy, and hardest working people. My deepest apologies for your loss. May the Lord watch over you and send you love and healing during this time.
God Bless Ryan.
Ryan was the nicest person I have ever met. I worked at Dierbergs for about 6 months with him until he put in his two weeks to go to a higher paying job. I helped to train him during his time with us. He was the sweetest boy ever and was always willing to help others. He has made such a positive impact on my life. He mentioned that he was going back to school this fall after taking a break. He also mentioned his amazing fiancée frequently to us. I was so saddened when I saw the Facebook post about the accident. My stomach dropped when his name was on the report. My deepest condolences to his fiancée, family, friends, and dogs. Sending lots of prayers and love. May God give you all comfort in this difficult time.
To the Craft Family-my deepest sympathies are extended to all of you in the loss of Ryan. I pray God will hold you and provide comfort and peace to all of you during this time of sorrow. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Prayers to all of your families.You were very much part of our family..Your smile will be missed.Great memories have been made over the six years you and Lizzy were together..You will always be remembered fondly.
Debbie, Mike and Dave
Ryan was kind, sweet, funny and he was such a sweetheart. He gladly let Dave’s friends treat him like their little brother. The Craft Family is in our prayers and we love you all.
So sorry to hear about your son’s passing. My thoughts and prays are with the Kraft family.
Dear Michael and family. There are not enough words to express my profound sadness for all of your family. I will put you all in my prayers. Sincerely Ginger Huff.
Debbie and family, my sincere condolences. I knew Ryan in grade school and he was the most polite, conscientious, sweet, and overall nicest young man. He was good to my son and I was shocked when I heard the news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you..
Our deepest condolences to the Craft family. May God provide comfort during this difficult time.
Shawn Fewell and Pramila Gardner
The Craft family,
Y’all have been a second family to me my whole life. I love you so much and it is heartbreaking to hear this news about Ryan. He has always been a brother and a great example in my life. Jesus is taking really good care of him now and forever. Prayers and much love to you.
Ryan was so awesome and it sucks that his life was cut short. He leaves behind a loving family and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Craft family during these hard times. May God watch over you all.
I remember Ryan as a kind and caring boy. During all the years I taught at Forder, he was the only student I knew who raised funds for cancer research by shaving his head for the St. Baldricks Foundation. I’m so sorry for your loss, and I am praying for you. God’s peace.
Mike,
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family for this tragic loss.
Roger Kepner
Mike,
My deepest condolences to you and your family for your tragic loss.
Mike, Family, and Friends…..my deepest condolences for the loss of Ryan. May your memories of him bring you comfort during this difficult time. “In every moment of every need, God is near, He sees, and He cares.” Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. God’s Blessings.
Dear Mike and family. All of our family sends prayers to you and your family to be blessed with good health and some sense of peace while you are dealing with the tragic loss of your son.
We are so very sorry
May God walk this journey with you
Our sincere sympathy,
Bob and Sharon Dierberg, Greg, Susan, and Brian Dierberg , Jeff and Laura Padousis
Debbie, I am so so sorry for your loss, I just couldn’t imagine. I’m praying for strength for you and your family. I have no words, rest in peace Ryan.
Debbie, you and your family are in my prayers. God bless Ryan
Mike and family, words can’t express the sadness we all feel in our hearts for the sudden loss of your son, Ryan. He must have been such a kind and caring young man. May the good Lord hold you tightly in the palms of his hands. Homan and Behr families.
Ryan will be missed terribly. He was an amazing friend and person. He was one of my very first friends when I moved schools, he always showed me kindness when I needed it the most. The world will be duller without him around.
My prayers to the Craft family, Lizzie, and all of Ryan’s friends
Mike and family,
Please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of your son. Your hearts must be breaking. In reading his obit and all these condolences, I can see he was a remarkable young man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
God bless Ryan.
Kathleen and Rich Waidmann
It was a joy to get to know Ryan. He was so kind, so compassionate.
His smile, his laughter, and tender soul will be missed.
Mike and family,
There are no words for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Terri and Jaclynn Rowell
I had only just met Ryan recently at work. He made me feel very welcome with a warm smile and hello every time I saw him.
The world won’t shine as bright without him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our sympathy and prayers to you and your family. Thinking of you all!
Sincerely,
Tuepker Brothers Construction
Bill & Michele, Bob & Gena Tuepker