Obituary of Ryan Michael Armitage

Ryan Michael Armitage, 32, passed into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ peacefully, surrounded by his wife and parents on May 14, 2018. He was a beloved husband, son, brother, cousin, and friend.

Ryan was born June 25, 1985, to his loving parents, Michael and Margaret Armitage.  He grew up with a fun younger brother, and many cousins who were like best friends. He participated in Boy scouts, played trombone throughout middle school and high school, was active in his church’s youth group and audio/visual team as a teenager. Ryan attended Wheaton College and graduated in 2007 with a degree in Computer Science. His time at Wheaton was deeply formative for him, and while there he made lifelong friends, briefly participated in Air Force ROTC, worked in the school’s IT help department, and enjoyed dorm life and faith focused classes. After he graduated college, Ryan worked at Skokie School District 68 for 2 years before going on to work at RR Donnely for 8 years, where Ryan grew in his career skills and knowledge. He enjoyed working in IT and had amazing coworkers and bosses who allowed him to work while prioritizing his health and cancer treatment.Ryan joined the Village Church of Gurnee around 2008 and was an active member. He participated and led the singles ministry Momentum for almost 7 years, attended various bible studies, grew in his Christian faith and gained many deep friendships. Some other highlights from his time at VCG include participating in a pastoral search committee and going on a missions trip to Guatemala. His favorite hobbies included an interest in cars (he loved his special Ford Focus RS), video gaming with friends, and target shooting.

In 2015, Ryan received his cancer diagnosis, which he battled for 3 years. Ryan was an example of courage and bravery to family and friends in dealing with his illness. Despite his diagnosis, he consistently trusted in the Lord and focused on his life verse, Philippians 4:6-7. While in hospice care as his treatment was ending, Ryan was surrounded by loving family and friends. His church family consistently visited and provided fellowship and worship for the Armitage family in their home. Family and friends were constantly offering to take care of needs or help, while so many others came from out of state to visit Ryan. All these things showed how much Ryan meant to so many people.

On May 7, 2017, Ryan married Jennifer (Cohn) Armitage. They met in 2015 around the time of Ryan’s cancer diagnosis through a game night at the Village Church of Gurnee. Together they enjoyed a blessed year of marriage.

Ryan is survived by his beloved wife Jennifer; parents Michael and Margaret; brother Sean, sister-in-law Amelia, niece Nora; grandparents Bill and Mary Armitage and Bernice Sloan; many uncles, aunts, cousins; and friends.

He is preceded in death by his uncle and grandfather.
 

Visitation for Ryan will be Friday, May 18, 2018 from 4-8 p.m. at the Village Church of Gurnee located at 1319 North Hunt Club Road, Gurnee, IL 60031. A second visitation will be held Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 10-11 a.m. with a Funeral Service at 11 a.m. and reception to follow at Village Church of Gurnee. Funeral home arrangements are through Congdon in Zion.

In lieu of flowers, please send Memorial Donations to the Village Church of Gurnee.