Victor Eugene Ryburn, of Heyworth, went to be with the Lord at 5:52 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 2, 2017) surrounded by his wife and children.
Vic was born May 8, 1945, in Bloomington (VE Day — the day that World War II ended in Europe) to Raymond and Hazel Peel Ryburn. He was named Victor Eugene (the initials of “Victory in Europe”). Immediately after he was born, his mother heard church bells ringing, car horns honking, and watched the delivery room doctor and nurses jumping up and down, crying, laughing, and hugging each other. At last, the war was over! A cause for celebration. But his mother, confused by the jubilation, thought: “What did I have?”
He married Sue Lane on Feb. 25, 1984, in Bloomington. She survives. Also surviving are his children, Heidi (John) Leitzen, Heyworth; James (Trianna) Ryburn, Heyworth; Brandi (Mark) Haeffele, Bloomington; and Joseph (Chantel) Dickerson-Ryburn, Ellsworth; six grandchildren, Mandi, Tabitha, Joshua, Jaden, Connor, and Caden; six step-grandchildren, Taylor, Kendall, Jonny, Rowan, Seth, and Miranda; three great-grandchildren, Kyrie, Hayze, and Jensen; siblings, Raymond Jr. (Mollie Watkins), Lexington, Ky.; David (Ginny), Waynesville; Terri, Normal; Roger (Debbie), Bloomington; Barb Oliviero-Cushing, Cooksville; Merry (John) Everett, El Paso; and Ben (Arlene Hosea), Normal; special in-laws, Julie (Larry) Stine; Lynn Dulaney; and Mike Lane.
He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law, Shirley Lane, and sister-in-law, Lynn Dulaney.
Vic was a Christian, a man of faith, compassion, and integrity. He had an upbeat, positive attitude; he did not like negativity, even to the end. He was straightforward and honest and you always knew where you stood with him. He helped anyone in need, without thought of repayment. Vic could take apart and repair anything and was an inventor. He had a strong work ethic; he put in many volunteer hours on Ryburn Place at Sprague’s Super Service. He helped to build the Victory Christian Center, who created the Vic Ryburn Award to honor volunteers. When asked what he did for fun, Vic replied, “I work.” He worked at Eureka Company for 35 years.
Sue was the love of Vic’s life; he adored her. He loved his children, his large family, his multitude of friends, and his church family. And they loved him back. The hard part will be learning to live without his larger-than-life personality, his story telling, and his corny jokes. He is already missed.
Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Victory Christian Center, Bloomington. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Victory Christian Center. Additional visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Victory Christian Center Building Fund. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.eastlawn-bloomington.com.
