Ryan Daniel Wilcoxen, 31, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, with his wife at his side, at Community South Hospital in Greenwood. He was a resident of Martinsville. His final earthly act was that of a hero–Ryan chose organ donation.
Ryan was born Nov. 2, 1989 in Bloomington to Keith Wilcoxen and Tana Beckman. He married Ashley Marie Burton on July 13, 2013. She lovingly survives. Other survivors include his two daughters, Gracen and Delaney of Martinsville; father Keith (Martina) Wilcoxen of Mitchell; mother Tana Beckman (Doug Sparke) of Paragon; sister Brandi WIlcoxen of Indianapolis; grandmother Jennifer Dustin of Ellettsville; uncle Trent (Kris) Beckman of Bloomington; cousins, Timmy (Jessica) Martin of Greenwood and Lynsey Martin of Indianapolis; and best friends Garrett (Olivia) Sarchet of Ellettsville and Trevor (Jessica) McConnell of Washington. He was preceded in passing by his grandparents Beverly Fluke, Bill Wilcoxen, and Dan Beckman.
Ryan was a 2008 graduate of Eastern Greene High School and received his Bachelors from Franklin College in Physical Education and Health in 2012. He was currently pursuing his Masters in Special Education through the University of Indianapolis. Ryan played baseball all throughout his childhood, found unprecedented success in high school, leading Eastern Greene to its only semi-state appearance in school history, and continued his career at Franklin College for 3 years.
Ryan was a special education teacher and the varsity baseball coach at Owen Valley High School. He spent his entire professional career impacting the lives of students, working and coaching at Edinburgh High School, Eminence Jr./Sr. High School, Eastern Greene High School, Brown County Jr./Sr. High School, and Owen Valley High School.
To say that Ryan was a die-hard sports fan would be an understatement. He was an unwavering fan of the Chicago Cubs, IU Basketball, the Dallas Cowboys, and THE Ohio State University Buckeyes—he never missed a college football Saturday. While sports were his passion, his family was his entire world. Cuddling down altogether in bed and watching Home Alone was something they all did regularly. There was nothing he enjoyed more than staying home with Ashley, Grace, and Delaney.
Services will be conducted by Pastor Chris Page and church elder and family friend Clint Whitson on
Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 3 p.m. at Hoosier Harvest Church; 4085 Leonard Rd, Martinsville, IN 46151. Visitation hours will start at noon until the time of service. Ryan’s remains will be cremated and spread privately by family at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home in Morgantown.
In lieu of flowers, the family strongly urges donations be made to the Ryan Wilcoxen Memorial Fund, c/o Meredith-Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 308, Morgantown, IN 46160. This fund will be used to develop an annual scholarship for high school seniors. Ryan’s legacy will live on and continue to impact the lives of students.
