Ryan William Wheaton, age 30, a resident of Oak Park, IL, and formerly of Wheaton, IL, died Monday, January 16, 2012, at home. He was born November 17, 1981 in St. Louis Park, MN.

Ryan graduated from Wheaton Warrenville South High School. After graduating he enrolled in a semester of Outward Bound Adventures encompassing several western states and mountain ranges. He lived in Colorado and attended Colorado Mountain College and Western State College. He became the lead bike mechanic at Performance Bicycles in Lombard, IL. He loved working with his hands and the physical demands of bicycling. His eventual goal was to return to Colorado with Jen and to be near his brother, Brad. He loved the outdoors, winter sports, music and attending Music Festivals.

He is survived by his parents, Melissa and Walter Wheaton of Wheaton, IL; his brother, Bradford Walter Wheaton of Gunnison, CO; his significant other, Jennifer C. Williams formerly of Dallas, TX; his maternal grandmother, Marilynn J. Horner of Vandalia, OH; his paternal grandfather, Walter George Leonard Wheaton of Berryville, AR; his aunt, Mary Beth Gonzalez; his uncle, Col. Anthony Zell; and his cousins, Tony and Andrew Zell, and Trever and Dustin Gonzalez.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, William Horner; his maternal grandmother, Geraldine Wheaton; his aunt, Cathlene Zell; and his uncle, David Horner and family.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 2-6 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, IL. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., in Wheaton. Interment will be private in Colorado and locally.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to Outward Bound, P.O. Box 62161, Baltimore, MD 21264-2161.