Dennis Patrick Ryan

Dennis Patrick Ryan passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born at home, north of Varina, Iowa on October 28, 1931 to Edward Aloysius and Adelaide Magdalene (Fitzgerald) Ryan.
He attended a one room country school in Pocahontas County, Iowa, he continued and graduated from Saint Columbikille's High School in Varina. Later he attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA., and Northrop Institute of Technology in Inglewood, CA.
Mr. Ryan served four years in the United States Air Force and the Air Force Reserves; he served in California, Korea, and Minnesota.
He married his high school sweetheart, Alice Marie Murphy, on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1953. Unto this marriage, three daughters were born: Michelle, Roxanne, and Deborah. He enjoyed fishing, flying, golfing, boating, and especially being with his children and grandchildren, and enjoying all family activities.
He was employed by Douglas Aircraft in Hawthorne, CA. while attending school, and spent 34 years employed by United Airlines having retired at O'Hare International Airport as Manager of Line Maintenance. He volunteered for Jr. Achievement and was a member of the W.D. Steiner Post 588 of the American Legion in Varina, IA. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Louisville, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Adelaide Ryan.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Alice; daughters: Michelle Johnson, Roxanne (Dick) Gradisek, and Deborah Bishop; seven grandchildren: Matthew (Heather) Johnson, Nicole (Carm) Huntress, Rebecca (Jeremy) Cervenec, Brian (Heather) Gradisek, Sean Ryan, Blake and Brandon Bishop; great grandson Griffin Huntress; sister Carole Jeanne Hickenbottom; brother James Ryan; Aunt Leathel Archer, many cousins, nephews and nieces.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Hilary Catholic Church, 2750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, Ohio, on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at 11:00am. He will be laid to rest in Fonda, Iowa at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc., Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, 70 West Streetsboro St., Suite 201, Hudson, Ohio, 44236.
(Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel 330-867-4141)