I am so sorry to hear about Declan's passing. I was lucky to have him as a student at WSU in my social media class Fall of 2022.  He always had positive attitude, dedicated to his study and wanting to learn as much as he could.  His captivating personality made him a joy to be around.

I can't image the loss you are feeling.  Know that many of us at WSU are keeping you and Declan's entire family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 

Robin O'Callaghan - WSU Marketing Faculty

Buckle up Kyler Family, this is going to be a long one. 

I’ve been contemplating on what to write and how to present it, there are so many stories of Declan that I hold near and dear to my heart. So I figured it would be best to start from the beginning.

Kora and I met our Freshman year of college, very early on and hit it off. Kora became my person and my best friend from college. Shortly after, Kora began telling me stories about this guy named Declan. I quite literally watched the whole story unfold in front of me. Kora had told me she and Declan shared their first kiss and the excitement she had was very notable. 

Shortly after, she introduced me to Declan. Declan had THEE BIGGEST gas guzzler of a truck. But boy, did he take pride in his truck. My family had come up to Winona to visit me for a weekend and I introduced them to Kora, and with Kora came Declan. My sister was OBSESSED with his truck. I had asked him to come over and show his truck to her. He happily drove over that big truck he was so proud of just to show it off to my little sister who was so entranced by his truck. It was shortly after this that Dec had decided it was time to sell his beloved possession. 

When COVID hit our freshman year, Declan and Kora continued to be a constant in my life even throughout COVID and distance learning. Our whole sophomore year was distance learning. 

Although COVID had made an impact on our learning, it certainly did not hinder my friendship with Kora and Declan. Shortly into our sophomore year, Kora, Declan, Ethan, Alec, and I decided to sign a lease on a house together for our Junior year of college. 

This was around the time that Declan had back surgery, even when he was strolling around the house with his walker, he never failed to make us laugh. 

Often times at house 253, Kora and I would meal plan and sometimes take turns making meals. Often times this included Declan and his preferences in food as well. 

In house 253, where Kora and I were the only girls present, this included A LOT of cleaning. We had a bathroom on the main floor that mainly the boys used. Often times the Boys’ parents would come to watch them play football. This is would include a panic induced deep clean of the house by both Kora and myself. Often times I would start with the bathroom on the main floor, and let me tell you, that bathroom was so dirty and I never let the boys live it down and they knew it. 

One of my favorite memories of Declan at house 253 is when he had taken so much pride in his newest truck he had purchased. It was around Halloween time. I had come back to the house from work and pulled up to Declan’s truck covered in red hand prints and some of them were even smeared. Declan thought that it was so cool that he had decorated his truck for Halloween. 

Declan never failed to have little dance breaks or make us belly laugh. Kora and Declan often watched Big Brother in the living room, which usually included me if I was around. 

Declan was always a great guy, always willing to lend a hand where he could. I have been reminiscing about our time spent together in 253, and there are so many things that I probably missed. These are just the select few that stand out to me. Declan’s story will live forever. I hope that the Kyler family enjoys the stories that are being shared about Declan, it is a true testament to the type of young man you raised. I will be forever proud to have called him a friend. 

Tiffiny, Pat and Madison. There are no words to describe these feelings.  Declan was loved by everyone he came in contact with! His memory will always be with us!

We love you

Jack and Carine