Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
NOTE: This story was originally published in The Press in June 2010.
Mainstreet Church is going to miss 37-year-old Millbury resident Ryan Lance Walters.
Walters became the third family member to pass away as a result of injuries suffered when a tornado destroyed his home near midnight on June 5. The four members of the Walters family attended Mainstreet Church, which has two Walbridge campuses.
According to news reports, Ryan’s wife Mary and five-year-old son Hayden Walters had gone to bed before the tornado hit. Both were killed before extended family members could warn them. Ryan, initially hospitalized, passed away June 13 at St. Vincent-Mercy Medical Center surrounded by his family.
“I knew them very well,” Mainstreet Church pastor Marty Pennington said. “Both Ryan and Mary were very active in our church. Mary served in our nursery ministries, Ryan was an IT (information technology) guy by training, and he helped manage our IT systems here at the church as a volunteer.”
When Mary and Hayden passed away, Pastor Pennington posted this Bible verse on the church’s website, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.” from 1 Thessalonians 4:13.
When Ryan passed, Pastor Pennington posted, “Ryan will be greatly missed by all of us. Please continue to pray for their daughter, Madison, who is recovering from injuries.”
Funeral services were June 18 in Cedar Creek Church with Pastor Pennington officiating.
The only immediate family who survived is Ryan and Mary’s 9-year-old daughter Madison. Madison recovered from injuries and has been discharged from St. Vincent’s. Pastor Pennington says she is staying with relatives.
