Rion Andreas Sandoval, 15, son of Dave and Diana Sandoval, passed away at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, and went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 14, 2011. He was born Tuesday, January 16, 1996 at Via Christi - St. Francis, Wichita, where he was happily welcomed into this world and brought smiles to everyone''s face. He was a very special boy from the beginning, always willing to show you the kindness in his heart that was shining so bright.
He attended Holy Cross Catholic Grade School, where his academic excellence began. During his younger years, he involved himself in various activities including t-ball, flag football, wrestling, and Club Azzurri soccer. Rion then went on to attend Prairie Hills Middle School where he became actively involved in sports including soccer, track, and tennis. He also was selected to be a member of the Cougar Singers, which he was so proud to be a part of and brought so much joy to his life. He loved to perform on stage and be the center of attention.
Rion was voted both his 7th and 8th grade years to be their class representative, and held academic excellence, earning him a spot as co-valedictorian of his 8th grade class.
Rion was currently a sophomore at Buhler High School. There he was heavily involved in as many clubs and organizations as he could fit into his schedule. These included Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Vice President of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Spanish Club, and he was the Sentinel Officer of his FFA (Future Farmers of America) Chapter. This by far was his most valued accomplishment and he was looking forward to one day possibly becoming a National FFA Officer. Sports also played a big role for Rion, as he participated in soccer, football, and tennis. "Rion had something about him that made people want to be around him and he loved to make them laugh and smile. Rion was always the one who brought your spirits up when you were feeling down. And most importantly he LOVED the ladies!" quoted his family.
Rion is survived by his mother, Diana Sandoval; father, Dave Sandoval; brother, Roman Sandoval; sister Courtney Postier and husband JJ; sister Shawna Galloway and husband Joe; his niece and nephews Taye, Gage, and Braeden Galloway, and Damon Postier, all of Hutchinson; maternal grandparents, Charles and Jaclan Lanam; uncle, Randy Cavanaugh; uncle, Mike Cavanaugh and wife Lori, all of McPherson; aunt, Kim Dreiling and husband Tim of Hutchinson; cousins, Dakota and Makayla Cavanaugh, Amber, Rob, and Alexa Mettlen, Amber, Kerick and Trenton Dreiling, Randy Cavanaugh Jr. and Bridgett Wynn; paternal grandparents, Arturo and Rosemary Sandoval; uncle, Mark Sandoval and wife Valerie, all of Wichita; uncle, Rick Sandoval and wife Charolette; cousins, Hannah and Isaac Sandoval, Chris, Christine, Andrew, Peyton, and Blake Gomien, and Heather Anderson and husband Steven. He was preceded in death by cousins, Travis Dreiling and Jessa Cavanaugh.
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 19th, from 1pm-8pm, with the family present from 6pm-8pm, at Old Mission-Heritage Funeral Home Chapel. A rosary will be held at 6:30pm, followed by family receiving friends, testimonials, and a slide-show presentation celebrating the life of Rion at 7pm. Services will be Thursday, October 20th, at 2pm at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Hutchinson, with Father Joe Eckberg presiding. Burial will be at Memorial Park, Hutchinson, immediately following. Memorials in care of the Roman Sandoval Education Fund may be sent to Central Kansas Credit Union, 2616 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67502.