Ryan Thomas Closen

Ryan Thomas Closen, 32, of Lake Wildwood in Varna, Il., formerly of Bartonville, died August 1st 2015 as a result of injuries sustained in an ATV accident. Ryan is survived by his fiancé, Carin Bogner; his father, Charles Thomas (Lucky) Closen; his mother, Catherine(Cate) Closen; one brother, Max McSimov; one grandmother, Evelyn Smith; and three furry children, Bandit, Bert, and Ernie.

He attended Limestone Community High School where he played basketball, tennis, football and wrestled. He graduated in 2001 and then continued onto Eureka College where he played football and pursued a business degree. He finished school at Robert Morris University with his degree in Business Administration.

Throughout his life he volunteered for the Limestone Fire Department and for the Special Olympics. He also worked as a lifeguard and for the Peoria Pirates football team.

In 2009 he started work for the Adam Merrick Home Selling Team. Ryan was an extremely talented and hard worker who also contributed to the culture of the Adam Merrick Team in a way that made work fun and enjoyable for the entire staff. As self- appointed head of HR, Ryan became the welcoming committee, the king of one-liners, and a source of positivity that got them all through hard times with a smile. Ryan was not only a life-long friend but one of the first members of a small real estate venture. Ryan was a fearless leader whose efforts pioneered sales strategies that were new to the Peoria area. In just 6 short years, Ryan's hard work led the Adam Merrick Team to be ranked #26 in the USA by the Wall Street Journal.

On a personal level Ryan had never met a stranger. Everywhere he went he made friends with ease. He brought a warm and kind heart to every room he entered and filled it with genuine love and acceptance. His love for football was a huge part of his life. He played all through high school and college and further on into flag football leagues. He was an avid sports fan who loved to root for the Chicago Bears, Cubs and Fighting Illini with the same excitement and devotion he brought to all other parts of his life. He enjoyed weekends at the beach and four-wheeling with friends. His warmth and generosity will be cherished and missed by all who were fortunate enough to have met him.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Friday, August 7, 2015 at the Davison Fulton Bartonville Chapel. Father Tom Mizeur will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 4 PM until 7PM at the funeral chapel and one hour prior to services at the chapel on Friday. Following the ceremony, there will be a gathering nearby that will be announced during the funeral. Memorials may be made to the Diabetes Foundation. You may create an online condolence at www.davison-fultonbartonvillechapel.com.