Our hearts are beyond broken as we mourn the tragic loss, Ryan Gelatka, who suddenly departed this world on Saturday, September 12th, 2020, by suicide.
You would never know it, but this is the dark side of addiction and depression. NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS did we ever think we would be writing these words. Not us. Not our family. Not this handsome, passionate, talented person. God! Our hearts break writing these words; tears fill my eyes, and we can barely breathe as we attempt to write something worthy of this man’s light. NO WORDS will ever be able to quantify what he meant to everyone that knew him. There are no words that express the gut-wrenching pain our family is experiencing because of this tragedy.
You were a loving son, a supportive sibling, a doting partner, a proud father, and the best friend anyone could wish for. He leaves behind the Gelatka family, Lauren Ashley and her son Noah, and his three beautiful & beloved children Caitlyn, Ryleigh & Kinsey.
In lieu of flowers, please help us raise funds for his children’s future to reduce additional stress and allow the grieving process to occur. This will be of great help in the care of his family, Lauren, and his three daughters. The Gelatka Family greatly appreciates your donation by clicking: Ryan Gelatka Family Fund.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 17, 2020 from 3-8pm at Adolf Funeral Home, 7000 S. Madison St., Willowbrook, IL 60527. Funeral Service & Celebration of Life will be Friday 11am at the funeral home.
To watch the service live please click the following link: Ryan Gelatka Celebration of Life.
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During the pandemic of 2020, data reveals some of the most frightening and staggering spikes in anxiety, depression, substance use, drug overdose, and suicide rates that anyone has ever seen. If you or someone you know is struggling, there are several resources you can reach out to for help, including:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (or online chat)
National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is for individuals and families facing mental or substance use disorders. 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
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Offer Condolence for the family of Ryan Gelatka
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My deepest sympathy to the Gelatka Family.
Grant, my Prayers are with you and your family during this time.
My condolences to Grant and family. May God continue to comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
Thanks so much, Terrence & Rotha.
I am at loss for words, just heart broken for your family.
I was Ryan’s manager when he worked for the State of Florida. We worked very closely together on many successful projects! He was a remarkable man and a highly skilled technology expert. It was a great honor and privilege to serve the citizens of the great State of Florida with him.
My very deepest condolences to your family.
Thanks, we appreciate your kind words and thoughts of Ryan, Brett.
We may have met you a few years back, when Ryan gave us a tour of the offices at Turkey Lake Plaza.
Thank you very much, Charlotte.
We so wish We could attend in person, but do plan to attend by Zoom. All our love and prayers ❤️💔🙏🏻
And we wish you could have been here, but glad you could join us virtually.
Thank you, Jeanne & Doug & Sutten family.
Words fall short at this time. Prayers and love ❤️ speak way beyond our understanding..
May God’s Spirit overwhelm all at this time.
19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:19
Love the Teresi family..
God bless you, Sam.
Yes, we surely have been overwhelmed with God’s love.
My heart was broken when I heard the News. I have had some good talks with Ryan in the last year. My prayers go out to you that through the pain of this tragedy you will be able to focus more and more of the Thanksgiving for Ryans life and all the millions of blessings he brought with him.
Thank you, Pastor Tim.
We’re very grateful for your caring talks with Ryan, and so thankful for your prayers.
Rick my heart is truly breaking for you and your beautiful family. I’m sending up prayers for you all and asking God to give you strength , courage and comfort as only He can provide. Please know you are in my prayers and thoughts .
Nesee
Thanks so very much for your thoughts and prayers, Nesee.
We are so very saddened by your tragic loss. May Ryan Rest In Peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you right now.
Love, Dan, Heather, Sarah and Jill Porter
We appreciate your kind condolences, Heather, Dan, Sarah & Jill.
You probably remember that Ryan and Georgie were very close in age and best buds (most of the time, anyway!)
My name is Brooks Braswell. I am the pastor of First Baptist Church of Umatilla, FL. I was friends with Ryan during his time at our church. He and I had tons of conversations during some valleys in his life. I do services like this all to often and I’ve learned just to tell families that we love them and I challenge them to turn to the Lord! He promises to be our refuge and strength. Our prayers will be with you. 352-988-3973
Thank you, Pastor Brooks.
We’re happy and proud to tell you that Ryan was a born-again Christian, and was baptized in 2005.
Dear Jan and Rick,
Karl and I write this with such deep sadness for you and your family on the loss of your dear eldest son Ryan. We remember Ryan with fondness as an energetic little boy who was so full of life and fun. We will never forget those early years in Rolling Meadows having you for our friends and sharing good times and experiences as young parents with raising our children in their early years. We will be with you virtually tomorrow at the celebration of life for Ryan. May God comfort you and give you His peace during this difficult time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Love, Shirley and Karl Schwarz ❤️🙏
Dear Shirley & Karl,
Thanks for those joyful memories of our little “Holy terror” Ryan!
We’ve never forgotten all of you.
We’re so glad you could view the service virtually.
Love,
Jan & Rick
My dear friend Janet, and family,
In one moment your world crumbled, while Ryan struggled, & suddenly decided to leave this world . What a beautiful, honest tribute. Your words are the truth that we all need to hear.
Thank you for sharing, your thoughts and thank you for guiding others with your knowledge.
With strenght & faith our Lord will guide your family through the darkness, as you find the courage to take one day at a time as Ryan will always be in your hearts and mind as he is your guardian angel from the heavens above.
My deepest condolences,
Ginamarie
Dear Ginamarie,
It was of utmost importance to us that we portray an open and honest picture of Ryan’s life, personality, struggles, and challenges.
Thank you for appreciating that!
Yes, our guardian angel has been sending us many amazing signs and wonders!
We will pass along your condolences to sister Janet H.
Our condolences for all. May Ryan Rest In Peace. Prayers for everyone.
Thanks much for your prayers and condolences, Diana and Joe.
My heart aches for your entire family. I cannot imagine the pain you are going through. Please know that all of you are wrapped in my prayers and love. I pray that Jesus will hold you in his arms of comfort and love.
I am truly sorry. God be with you all.
We are more than grateful for your prayers, sympathy, love, and faith, Kerrie.
Rick, Janet and family, Words cannot express the deep sorrow in light of learning about Ryan’s death. All I can do is pray for God’s comfort for you all, that you will sense God walking with you through this valley of the shadow of death.
praying for you,
Barri Cae Seif
Dear Barri,
We greatly appreciate you, and your faithful prayers on our behalf.
Janet and Rick –
Deb and I are at a loss for words – our hearts go out to you and the family. Nothing can ever help ease the pain, but what you are doing to help raise awareness about mental health, and to help Ryan’s family, will keep his memory burning bright. We will keep you all in our prayers.
Randy and Deb
Dear Randy and Deb,
Our hope is that by being honest and unashamed about our son’s struggles with mental illness and alcoholism, others might be helped.
We thank you for your prayers.
I came here by Google after watching his girlfriends tik tok for several weeks. I’m in same situation under depression and his death should been blamed, only he knows the struggle he was going thru, believe me this is hard and we know people love us as you did him but it gets out of our hands . May God give you the strength to overcome this tragic loss
Dear Mario,
I just happened to find your condolence message and want to thank you for taking the time to write, and for your caring words.
What I would say to you is this:
Death by suicide is a permanent, irreversible, and absolutely final (so-called) solution to the temporary aggravations and ever-changing problems of human existence.
I don’t know where you’re from, but perhaps you’ve heard this saying in reference to Chicago’s very changeable weather: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a day.”
As Ryan’s mom, please take it from me, Mario – life is like the weather: a constantly-changing situation. Issues that seem overwhelming and impossible today might disappear or be different by tomorrow.
May God bless you and keep you in His care.