Staff Sergeant Justin M. DeCrow
September 11, 1977 November 5, 2009
    PLYMOUTH — SSG Justin M. Decrow, 32, a family man and career serviceman with the United States Army, was tragically killed in the events at Ft. Hood, Texas on Thursday, Nov. 5.
    Justin, a resident of Evans, Ga. and formerly of Plymouth is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 13 years Marikay DeCrow, and his 13 year old daughter, Kylah N. DeCrow. He is also survived by proud parents: mother; Rhonda (Atkins) Thompson, step-father; Todd Thompson both of Plymouth and father; Daniel J. DeCrow and his fianceé, Colleen Becht, Dan is a Vietnam Veteran, they reside in Fulton, Ind. a brother; Cody Abel Thompson, maternal grandmother; Pauline J. Atkins and his in-laws; Roy C. and Sandy (Krieghbaum) Sickman all of Plymouth.
    Justin was born September 11, 1977 in Valparaiso, and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1996, where he was involved in the wrestling and football programs. He also worked hard on the farm and was a good cook having worked at the Hayloft Restaurant. Justin possessed great technical skills when it came to a computer.
    In March of 1996, he married Marikay Sickman and joined the military that summer. His daughter Kylah Nicole was born two weeks after he left for basic training. He served faithfully in the military for 13 years, and recently returned from South Korea where he specialized in satellite communications. He had been stationed at Fort Hood since September, and after finding out that he was being deployed to Iraq his wife and daughter continued to live in the family home near Fort Gordon.
    Rhonda and Todd raised Justin to be a man of good character who loved and took exceptional care of his family. Justin and Marikay celebrated nearly 14 happy years of marriage. His infectious charm and wit always put others at ease, and drew him many friends. He will be greatly missed by all.
    The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13 at Plymouth Wesleyan Church, 11203 S. Michigan Road.
    Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 in the Plymouth Wesleyan Church. The Rev. David Terhune will officiate.
    With a Patriot Guard escort, burial will immediately follow with full Military Honors in Plymouth’s New Oakhill Cemetery.
    In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts in Justin’s name be given to Kylah Nicole’s College Assistance Fund, c/o 2508 Grier Circle, Evans, GA 30809.
    The Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, Plymouth is assisting with arrangements. Notes of condolence may be sent to the family at: www.johnson-danielson.com .

Alfred L. Ryan
July 26, 1936 — Nov. 9, 2009
    FORT WAYNE — Alfred L. Ryan, 73, of Fort Wayne, died Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 at 12:30 a.m. at The Waters of Summit City Nursing Home, Fort Wayne following a lengthy illness.
    He was born July 26, 1936 in Hammond to James Ivan Ryan Sr. and Ethel (Adams) Ryan and married Barbara S. (Lacefield) Ryan March 11, 1957 in Rochester.
    He and his wife have lived in Fort Wayne the last four years, moving there from Rochester. Ryan was an over-the-road truck driver, retiring in 2000.
    He served in the United States Air Force from May 27, 1955 to May 29, 1958 where he obtained the rank of Airman Third Class.
    He is survived by his wife Barbara Ryan; sons: Ronald (Melody) Ryan of Fayetteville, N.C., Kevin (Tammy) Ryan of Lakeland, Fla., James Ryan III and his wife Gina of Norfolk, Va.; daughters: Bunnie Sullivan of Fort Wayne, Laurie (Brad) Rice of Papillion, Neb., Linda (Michael) Seewer of Louisville, Ky.; 19 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a sister, Donna Kamp of Argos.
    He as preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and three brothers.
    Friends may visit with the family Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, 208 N. Michigan St., Argos.
    Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 at the funeral home with Chaplin Charles Glenn officiating.
    Burial will take place at the New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association; Chicago, Ill. Office; 30 North Michigan Ave., Suite 2015, Chicago, IL, 60602.
    Electronic condolences my be sent to the family at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
    Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos, was entrusted with arrangements.