This precious angel was killed during the tornado outbreak in Oklahoma on May 24th, 2011. His 15 month old little brother, Cole, was also killed from this tornado.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Piedmont family has funeral for two tornado victims
The Hamil family, of Piedmont, had funeral services Saturday for Ryan, 3, and Cole, 15 months, at St. Damien Catholic Church in Edmond. The boys died after a tornado destroyed their home in Piedmont on May 24.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BY DARLA SLIPKE [email protected] Oklahoman
Published: June 5, 2011


EDMOND — Hundreds of friends and loved ones gathered Saturday at St. Damien Catholic Church to show their support for the Hamil family.


Piedmont family has funeral for two tornado victims.

Guests filled the church and spilled out onto the lawn where some gathered under a large tent during funeral services for brothers Ryan, 3, and Cole, 15 months.

The boys died after a tornado destroyed their home May 24 near Waterloo Road and North County Line Road in Piedmont. They were huddled in a bathtub under a mattress with their mom and sister when the storm hit. Their father, Hank, was away for wheat harvest.

Cole died in a hospital after the storm. More than 100 rescue workers and volunteers searched for Ryan for two days before finding his body in Falcon Lake, in a subdivision near where the family lived.

Their sister, Cathleen, 5, was hospitalized in critical condition and was released from the hospital this week. Their mom, Catherine, also was hospitalized for several days after the storm.

She and Cathleen were in wheelchairs Saturday when the family gathered at the church for a Mass of the Angels. The church entrance was decorated with flowers, toy trucks and two Precious Moments angel dolls, which were scattered around photos of the boys. Hank Hamil wiped his eyes with a handkerchief as he pushed his wife.

The boys were buried side by side in a cemetery next to the church.

Ryan loved animals and anything that had to do with farming, said his grandmother, Debra Hamil. He was looking forward to riding in the tractor or the combine with his father during harvest this year. He also was excited about his future baby sister, who is due in October, Debra Hamil said.

Ryan was everyone's little buddy, Debra Hamil said. He liked to hold the door open for other people.

His little brother, Cole, loved to push toy cars and trucks. At 15 months, Cole still was developing his personality, his grandmother said.

On Saturday, people came from as far away as California and South Dakota to pay their respects. Many were customers from the family's custom harvesting business.

"We've been overwhelmed by the love and support," Debra Hamil said.

Guests also included several law enforcement officers and firefighters who had helped the family after the tornado. The Hamil family called the rescue workers and invited them to attend, said Oklahoma City police Capt. Dee Patty.

She was among the first officers to arrive at the Hamil home after the storm, and she was there when they found Cole.

Cathleen Hamil was already in a nearby ambulance, Patty said. Additional ambulances and helicopters couldn't get to the area fast enough because of the storm, so Patty put Cole in the back of her car with paramedics to monitor his condition and sped to the closest hospital.

Afterward, she helped search for Ryan until his body was found.

On Saturday, Patty said she just wanted to be there for the family.

"We can't express how sorry we are for their loss," she said through tears.