In a previous version of this story we erroneously stated that Ryan Lohrey was from Anderson when he grew up in Middletown and that he was a Marine. The story has been corrected to reflect that mistake.
MIDDLETOWN, Ind. -- A Middletown man was one of 16 military members killed in a Marine Corps plane crash on Monday.
Ryan Lohrey was a 2005 graduate of Shenandoah High School and a member of the school's football team. Family members said he was a father, mentor and newlywed.
"I'm just going to miss him being around," said Hayden Lohrey, Ryan's cousin. "Like just the way he made everybody feel."
Hayden said he was in shock when he heard the news.
"My mind kind of went blank. I didn't know what to think. I just couldn't believe it," said Hayden.
The Marine Corps aircraft that crashed Monday in Mississippi was a KC-130T from a Marine Corps Forces Reserve aerial refueling and transport squadron based at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, the service said Tuesday.
Fifteen Marines and one Navy corpsman were killed in the crash.
Shenandoah Schools said the team went 12-0 before losing to Ritter in the regionals Lohrey's senior year.
Assistant Principal of Shenandoah High School Todd Salkoski said he remembers football practices with Ryan years ago.
"He would literally come to practice and things in his work-clothes in the summer. Have football practice get back in his work clothes and go back and work again," said Salkoski. "He actually lost his football helmet during a play and continued to pursue the runningback until he brought him down. Of course you see this bright red hair on the football field and you knew it was him."
The school plans to honor Lohrey during the first home football game of their 2017-18 season.
Ind. Gov. Eric Holcomb released the following statement about Lohrey's death:
Janet and I offer sincere condolences to the family and friends of Indiana’s own Ryan Lohrey, a Navy corpsman who lost his life in a tragic plane crash this week along with 15 other servicemen. Words cannot express the depth of sorrow I feel for his wife and two young children, especially. I know Hoosiers around the state join me in honoring his service and contributions to our community and our country.
Senator Joe Donnelly released the following statement about Lohrey's death on Wednesday.
“I’m saddened by the loss of Middletown native Ryan Lohrey who was on the KC-130 that crashed in Mississippi earlier this week. Ryan served our country with honor and we are grateful for his selfless service. He will be missed, and I send my condolences and prayers to his family and friends.”
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