Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 12, 1990 TAG: 9004120625
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS LENGTH: Medium
"Ryan and his family always believed there would be a miracle," the Rev. Raymond Probasco said in his eulogy. "But that didn't happen. I believe God gave us that miracle in Ryan. He healed a wounded spirit in the world and made it whole."
Ryan's mother, Jeanne, sat with her 16-year-old daughter, Andrea, and Jackson, who had befriended Ryan. Ryan's father, Wayne, who is divorced from Jeanne White, also attended the service at the Second Presbyterian Church.
Singer Elton John, who had maintained a bedside vigil during Ryan's final week of life, led the congregation in singing a hymn.
Ryan died Sunday of complications from the disease he had fought for more than five years.
"He helped us to care and to believe that with God's help, nothing is impossible, even for a kid," said Probasco, who is pastor at Center Chapel United Methodist Church in Muncie and has known the White family for years.
John, wearing a black sequined hat, served as a pallbearer with Los Angeles Raiders football player Howie Long, talk-show host Phil Donahue and three local friends of Ryan: Tommy Hale, Leo Joseph and John Huffman.
About 300 of Ryan's schoolmates at Hamilton Heights High School in Arcadia, 25 miles north of Indianapolis, came by bus to the funeral. Scores of people were left during the service standing outside the Gothic-style church, which was filled to capacity.
Members of the school's choir sang "That's What Friends Are For."
A private burial service was held for the family and close friends in a cemetery in Cicero, the small town near Arcadia, where the Whites have lived nearly three years.
Gov. Evan Bayh ordered flags across Indiana to fly at half-staff in tribute to the youngster.
"Ryan accepted his situation with awe-inspiring courage and magnanimity. He did not run and hide, and he graciously accepted the public responsibilities thrust on his young shoulders," former President Ronald Reagan wrote in the tribute published Wednesday on the op-ed page of The Washington Post.
Ryan was diagnosed with acquired immune deficiency syndrome in December 1984. He had contracted the disease from tainted blood products used to treat his hemophilia.
During the following two years, he and his mother won a court battle to allow him to attend public school near Kokomo.
"I'm glad to see that he was so thought of that so many are here," said Gladys Lewis of Indianapolis. "It shows that somehow we all learned something from his battle. What he went through, it brought so many people - whites, blacks, people of all religions and ages - he brought people together."
"It's obviously a very sad day for all of us that knew him and worked with him," said Dr. Woodrow A. Myers at the church.
The former Indiana state health commissioner who supported the Whites' school battle is now New York City health commissioner.
nation by his example," Myers said.
by CNB