Cover photo for Ryan James Lang's Obituary
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1990 Ryan 2021

Ryan James Lang

January 16, 1990 — December 12, 2021

Ryan James Lang, 31, of Beloit, WI, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2021, of an overdose after a very long battle with addiction.

Ryan was born in Ottawa, ONT, Canada on January 16, 1990, and graduated from Fairfield High School in 2008. He is survived by his sisters Sasha and Brianna, niece Skye (who he absolutely adored), parents Michael and Donna, Grandparents Edie Lang and Ira Roffel, Grandparents Bud and Sandy Grunewald, Great-Grandma Tina Petti, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Ryan was preceded in death by his Grandad Michael Lang Sr. and Grandpa Bob Shorten.

Ryan had a heart of gold. Anyone from his childhood could confirm, but even the people he encountered throughout the darker years of his life always said the same. He was kind and he was funny. He was selfless. What was Ryan’s, was everyone’s.

“Heroin didn’t love Ryan, it controlled him; it owned him. It skewed his reality and numbed his heart. It mocked his every attempt to be free, reeling him in like a fish…hooked by the hollow point of a disposable needle.”

Ryan never wanted to be an addict. Yes, he chose, of his own free will, to experiment socially with drugs and in turn, became addicted. But in the beginning, years ago, this young, naive teenager had no idea what kind of hold that drugs take on you. The people he knew doing it hadn't hit rock bottom yet. He had not witnessed friends or family losing everything or seen them lying in a casket. Years of rehab over the course of his adult life yielded just moments of freedom from addiction. He would say, “I really hope it works this time.” We did too buddy, we did too.

There will be a celebration of life service at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Noah’s Arc and mailed to Mike and Donna Lang, 512 Fairview Drive, Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ryan James Lang, please visit our flower store.

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