Ryan A. Vitt

Ryan A. Vitt, age 29, of New Philadelphia, was welcomed into the presence of God on Monday, September 20, 2010 following injuries sustained in an automobile accident.A son of Dennis (Debby) Vitt and Diana (Randy) Gopp all of New Philadelphia, Ryan was born May 30, 1981 in Union Hospital at Dover.Ryan attended Central Elementary School at New Philadelphia and ultimately graduated from Indian Valley High School as a member of the class of 2000.As a football fan, Ryan faithfully followed The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was also a car enthusiast who enjoyed working on and detailing cars and was looking forward to starting auto mechanics classes in January. Another of Ryan’s passions was following NASCAR and attending races with his grandfather, the late Gerald “Buster” Meek. Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was one of Ryan’s favorite drivers.Most recently, Ryan had been active within New Pointe Community Church where he had been involved in the development and design of “The Warehouse” teen area. He was also a member of the church volleyball league and participated in other activities throughout the church.Ryan also enjoyed cooking and grilling and taking the opportunity to share his culinary skills with his friends and family. In addition to his parents, Ryan’s engaging personality will be greatly missed by two sisters, Christina Vitt and Kaitlin Lescalett both of New Philadelphia; a special nephew Caleb Metcalf, whom he affectionately nick-named, “Little Lebby”; a half sister, Heather (John) Long of Texas; two step-brothers, Jeremy (Michelle) Gopp of New Philadelphia and Nathan (Megan) Gopp of Strasburg; a step-sister, Sarah (Brock) Wilson of North Dakota, two uncles, Greg Meek of Gnadenhutten, and Eric (Peggy) Vitt of Dover and an aunt, Becky (Mike) Kostelnik, of North Canton.Grandparents, Thelma Meek of Gnadenhutten, Frank and Vicki Vitt; a step-grandmother, Retha Gopp and a great-grandmother, Polly Vitt all of New Philadelphia as well as numerous special friends and countless others who knew him also survive.In addition to his grandfather, “Buster”, Ryan was preceded in death by a step-sister, Shannon Gopp and a step-grandfather, Jerry Gopp.The family will receive friends on Friday, September 24, 2010, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with cremation following public visitation. Pastor Dwight Mason will lead a memorial service celebrating Ryan’s life in the New Pointe Community Church at Dover on Saturday, September 25, 2010, at 11 AM. Inurnment in the grave of his grandfather will follow in the Gnadenhutten Clay-Union Cemetery at Gnadenhutten.Following services, the family would like to invite guests to return with them to New Pointe Community Church where a meal and fellowship will be shard.Those wishing to do so may direct contributions in Ryan’s memory to the Ryan Vitt Memorial Fund, c/o the Commercial Savings Bank, 635 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.