Ryley Ansel Finley, 30

Ryley Ansel Finley, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colo., passed away on Dec. 10, 2021, at UC Memorial Central Hospital in Colorado Springs surrounded by his loving family. His sudden passing has left a void in the hearts of those who knew him.

He was born May 22,1991, in Woodstock to Robyn Bates and Ronald Finley. He was a self-taught guitarist and passionate in his craft. He was an avid fan of the musical group Coheed and Cambria, of which he would frequent their concerts when able. When he wasn’t playing or composing music, he enjoyed drawing and playing video games – Super Smash Brothers was his favorite. He was affectionately nicknamed “Knuckles” and “Vegeta,” respectively. He was a third-degree blackbelt in karate, loved to engage in debates, and loved his pets, Navi, Blinx and Lucca.

He had a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious laugh. He was a light in so many people’s lives and always lent an ear or a shoulder to lean on. No words can truly encompass all that he was and had to offer. The imprint he has left on all those who knew him is as eternal as he is. He has touched so many with his laughter, charisma, kindness, empathy, and character.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ernest and Mavis Bates, and his infant brother, Sage Astin Finley.

He is survived by his mother and father; his fiancé, whom he’s shared his life with for the past 13 years, Genesis Wadington; his siblings, Ryan, Nourie, RabBahn, Rhetta, Taj-Marcel, Batai, Mystery, Story, and Lyric-Monet; his paternal grandmother, Sylvia St. James- Levy; and paternal grandfather, Levi Finley. He is also survived by his aunts, Rhoda Bates and Rhonda Randall; uncles, Daron Finley, LaTroy Finley, and Damian Finley; and many cousins.

A gathering of friends and family will be held at the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, from 10 a.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral service. Interment will follow in McHenry County Memorial Park cemetery in Woodstock.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the National Kidney Foundation.

For information, call the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home at 815 338-1710 or see the website at slmcfh.com.