Ryan C. Drew

Hamel:

Ryan C. Drew, 24, passed away at 11:31pm on Sunday, February 15, 2026, in Edwardsville.  Born on March 28, 2001, in Russia, Ryan was the beloved son of Nicholas J. and Alicia S. (Bassler) Drew of Hamel.  From the moment he joined his family, he was deeply loved, and he carried that love with him throughout his life in his own quiet way but powerful way.  

Ryan was, by nature, socially reserved and had very dry humor.  He could sometimes be misunderstood - but those who truly knew him understood the depth of his very big heart.  He had a heart of gold.  Though he didn't seek the spotlight or express himself easily, he was often the first to step up when someone needed help, even total strangers.  It was common for Ryan to see someone stranded & circle around to check and see if they needed assistance or help being pulled out of a ditch or help changing a tire. Whether it was lending a hand, standing up for someone, or quietly donating to a cause he believed in, Ryan showed his compassion through action. He was a true good Samaritan, generous and protective, with a deep sense of right and wrong and a desire to help the underdog. He has taken so many people under his wing and fought for them when others had given up. When he was only 16, he met with his principal and went head to head about an injustice being done to a fellow student who had passed away in a tragic car accident and was not being recognized. He won that battle and his friend got the recognition at graduation that he deserved. Ryan was a proud member of the Bricklayer’s Local 8 and was working at Granite City Steel. He took pride in his work and in being part of something bigger than himself. Outside of work, he loved nature, shooting, working on vehicles, helping other people, and spending time doing hands-on projects. He had a natural mechanical curiosity and enjoyed figuring out how things worked. A former Cub Scout, he carried with him the values of helpfulness and service throughout his life.

In addition to his parents, Ryan is survived by his maternal grandparents: Michael and Marianne Bassler of Belleville, and many other close friends and family.

He was preceded in death by a stillborn brother: Joseph, his paternal grandparents: Jim and Lorraine Drew, and his maternal great grandparents: Ray and Leora Grossmann.

Memorial visitation will be from 1pm until time of celebration of life services at 3:30pm on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at www.nami.org or to Hope Autism Clinic at www.hope.us.