My father had a terrible stroke in 1993. I was stationed in Germany at the time, and rushed back to the USA on emergency leave. I made it to the hospital in time to hold his hand. All he could do was squeeze mine back.
Later that night he had several more strokes. The doctors recommended to my family (quite large) that we let him quietly pass away, as he was on total life support at this time and had no brain activity. I was the family member the most vehemently opposed to this idea. Surely, I thought, he may yet still recover? How can we just let him go when we might just get a miracle? My mother told me, "Son, he's already with God. What you see is simply the shell. What would your father say to you now if he could look down upon us and help us make a decision? You know he would want us to let him go, rather than be a burden on any of us." She was right, of course.
I see in Ronald Reagan so much of my father's spirit: Warm, strong, with good Chrisitan values and determination. But what we have now is like what my father was then; the shell of a great, powerful man. It IS right to wish him peace and an end to his suffering. God Praise Ronald Reagan!