Ryland Robert Joseph passed away in San Francisco on May 16, 2013, in the presence of his loving family. He was 7 months and 12 days old.

Ryland's big heart and happy spirit was known all throughout Lake County, Calif., and beyond.

In February of this year, Ryland was diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome and it was determined that only a bone marrow transplant would help.

The county rallied around his family; mother, Kellie, a detective with the Lake County Sheriff's Department and father, Rodd, a sergeant with the Clearlake Police Department.

Be The Match events were held to inform the community about the need for bone marrow donors and to find a match for Ryland. Ryland's 22-month-old sister, Brooklynn, was determined to be a match and a bone marrow transplant was done earlier this month. Although the transplant was successful, Ryland's immune system was compromised and he passed from an infection.

The Josephs' story has touched many lives and Ryland will forever be remembered. He leaves behind his parents, Rodd and Kellie; sister, Brooklynn; grandparents, Norris and Karen Joseph, Louise and Joe Harris and Robert "Boomer" Fisher; aunt, Andrea "Andi" Joseph and great-aunt Carol Vasas; many extended family and friends too numerous to mention.

His family would like to thank those that have assisted them at this difficult time and supported them through Ryland's illness.

Services for Ryland will be held at Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, 16140 Main St. in Lower Lake, on Saturday, June 1, at 1 p.m.

A procession will then travel from the funeral home to Middletown Cemetery.

If you choose to make a donation in memory of Ryland, the family has these suggestions:

– The Family House, a residence for people with very ill children, primarily bone marrow transplant related, who reside more than 50 miles from UCSF; www.familyhouseinc.org .

– The Wiskott-Aldrich Foundation uses funds to research this disease and is also a great resource for families with affected children; http://www.wiskott.org/ .

– The National Bone Marrow Registry, where funds are used to help type and store DNA samples of possible donors and where you can register as a potential donor; www.marrow.org .

– Ryland’s Memorial Fund, which is located at Mendo Lake Credit Union under the title “Ryland Joseph Be The Match Fund.” Funds donated will go to Ryland’s medical bills, burial expenses and towards other Wiskott-Aldrich families.