James W. Ryan

Danville James W. Ryan, 93, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Danville, IL, passed away at his home in Mesa on June 14, 2021 at 11:07 AM.

James was born on February 19, 1928 the son of Wallace and Mildred (Pickard) Ryan in Omaha, NE. He married Shirley Johnson in July, 1950 and they had seven children. She preceded him in death on October 25, 1971. Jim, as he was known to his friends, then married Ona Hackler of Ridgefarm and Danville in August of 1972 and she preceded him in death on August 25, 2005. Jim had recently married Diane Calabrese of Mesa, AZ on March 2, 2020.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Ryan, six of his seven children with Shirley: Kathleen (John) Hill, Michael (Susan) Ryan, Timothy (Julie) Ryan, Sharon Ryan, Thomas (Diana) Ryan and Patrick (Linda) Ryan, his daughter-in-law, Elaine Varelas Ryan, 19 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents Wallace and Mildred, Shirley Ryan and Ona Ryan as well as one son, James Stephen Ryan and two sisters, Jeanette Cox and Patricia Mack.

James served his country in the United States Army from October 1946 until February of 1952 and was wounded while serving in Korea, for which he received the Purple Heart. James began his career with NCR in 1952 and was a Serviceman and then Service Manager, first in the Chicago Region and then in Central Illinois, working from the Danville Office until his retirement in 1990.

As a young parent, James was a Scoutmaster for many years while his sons were in the Boy Scouts. He was a voracious reader and encouraged that in his children. He learned to fly aircraft when he was in his forties, and attended every single sporting event his children played in. He loved driving and working on cars, particularly Lincolns, and owned more than 40 different vehicles in his lifetime.

He enjoyed spending his free time touring the country in his RV, playing cards, especially Pinochle and Gin, and was an avid golfer with his sons and friends from NCR and the Danville Elks Club.

A Celebration of Life will be at held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at Sunset Funeral Home, 3940 N Vermilion St. in Danville, Illinois. Robbie Ketcherside will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park with Military Rites accorded by American Legion Post 210 Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 PM on Monday, June 21, 2021 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in James memory to Curtis G Redden American Legion Post 210, 201 Prospect Place, Danville, IL 61832-1818

Please join James family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .