Mr. Ryan Richard Walsworth, age 50, of Mears, Michigan, passed away on February 13, 2017. He was born in Hart, Michigan, on July 10, 1966 to Richard and Marcia Walsworth. He graduated from Hart High School with the Class of 1984 and continued his education at Michigan State University graduating with an Economics Degree in 1988. After receiving his degree from MSU, Ryan worked in Chicago for a brief time before he began working for ASCS in Kalamazoo. On August 7, 1993, Ryan married Janice LaPorte; they were married twenty-three years. Also in 1993, Ryan returned home to work on the family farm which his grandfather started in 1932, purchasing the Golden Stock Farms from his parents in 2004. He was a member of the Mears United Methodist Church and belonged to many organizations including Michigan Farm Bureau, the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, MACMA, and MAGI. Ryan loved farming and was very passionate about the asparagus industry. He truly supported the National Asparagus Festival in many ways including donating asparagus for the Spear-It 5k race and most recently annually to the Fly-In Breakfast.

Ryan had a love for music and owned Ry-Dog's DJ Service for many years performing at many local functions and wedding receptions. He loved history and visiting historical sites. Ryan also was able to visit and hike over 16 national parks. His love for travel took him to St. Thomas, St. Johns, Mexico, Peru and Belize. He enjoyed planning for his next big trip. Ryan and his daughter Anna were able to go on a mission trip to Mexico and it was on this trip that he fell in love with the orphans at Lily of the Valley Orphanage, an experience he was grateful he had the opportunity to be a part of. He enjoyed running and participated in many races state-wide including his first half marathon on Mackinac Island. Ryan loved working on the farm and took great pride in his work. He would always say when returning home, "this is a nice place, let's live here."

Ryan is survived by his wife, Janice; one son, Jordon Walsworth (wife Sarah and grandson Henry) of Hart; two daughters, Haley and Anna Walsworth of Mears, his parents, Richard and Marcia Walsworth of Mears; sister, Kari Ward (husband Roger and nephew Andrew and niece Sara) of Rochester, New York; sisters and brothers in law, Alice Palka, Ken LaPorte (Zenta Crow), Ron (Diane) LaPorte, Jim (Michelle Martin) LaPorte, Rick (Sheri) LaPorte, Judee (Rusty) Fralic; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walt and Annie Walsworth, Robert and Donna Blackmer; father and mother in law, Henry and Juanita LaPorte.

One of Ryan's favorite sayings was "It's not about the years on your tombstone, it's the dash in between that matters." Ryan accomplished a lot and impacted many lives during his time with us. He will be missed.

The Funeral Service for Mr. Walsworth will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Mears United Methodist Church, 1990 North 56th Avenue, Mears, MI 49436 with Rev. Ken Vanderlaan officiating. Interment will take place at Mears Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, Friday, April 28, 2017 at King Funeral Home, 2370 N. 72 ^nd Ave., Hart, MI 49420. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be directed to the Ryan Walsworth Memorial Scholarship at the Community Foundation of Oceana County.