John "Jack" Ryan
John D. “Jack” Ryan, 91, of Gainesville, GA, formerly of Fairview Heights, IL, born May 17, 1921, in East St. Louis, IL, died Tuesday, June 19, 2012, in Gainesville, GA.
Jack attended St. Elizabeth’s Grade School, Central Catholic High School, and St. Louis University, where he graduated in 1943 with a bachelor of science degree in commerce and finance. He had lettered in all sports in both high school and college. After graduation he served as a naval aviator instructor in multi-engine aircraft at Pensacola, FL, during World War II.
Mr. Ryan worked for National Cash Register sales for 20 years. In 1973, he went to work for Wetterau Foods, Inc., a Fortune 500 company which was the 2nd largest food wholesaler in the U.S. During his 20 years with Wetterau, he was vice-president in charge of eight subsidiaries and was later promoted to senior vice-president over food distribution and industry companies. His final promotion was to executive vice-president of Wetterau Foods, Inc. In addition to his positions at Wetterau, Jack held positions on the board of directors at Goodwill and at Illini Federal Savings & Loan.
In retirement for 20 years, he and his wife Kate spent six months of each year in Naples, FL, where he was active at Bears Paw Country Club, serving as president one year and on the board of directors for four years. The other six months of the year were spent at home in Fairview Heights, IL, where he was a 60-year member and an officer at St. Clair Country Club.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Michael J. and Mayme, nee Sparn, Ryan; and a sister, Lennamae, nee Ryan, Hickey.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Catherine “Kate”, nee Kickham, Ryan of Gainesville, GA;
a daughter, Kathy Ryan Proterra, wife of Joe Proterra,
both graduates of the University of Dayton and residents of Gainesville, GA,
and their children, Tim (Michelle) Proterra and Nick Proterra;
a son, Michael Ryan, a graduate of St. Louis University and a resident of Fairview Heights, IL,
and his son, Daniel Ryan;
and two great-grandchildren, Brooke and Jack Proterra of Olathe, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA 30346. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Funeral: A memorial Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 11, 2012, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Kate, Mike and family...you are all in our thoughts and prayers; Jack was a very nice man....Barb and Carl Lee
Barbara Lee, Belleville, IL, 62223
Kate, Mike and family- My heartfelt condolence to you on the passing of our good friend Jack. He was a fine gentlemen and will be missed by many. I will always be indebted to Jack for introducing me to our Florida home- Bears Paw CC. I regret that I was out of town for the memorial mass on Saturday. Richard Slocomb, Naples and Belleville
Richard Slocomb, Belleville, Illinois, 62223
Kate, Mike, and Kathy - I am so sorry for your loss. Jack was a sweetheart.
Carol Lamb McCartney, Madison, WI, 53705
To Mike and other members of the Jack Ryan Family: Having just caught up on the accumulation of obituaries, I wish all to know how saddened I was to read of the recent loss of Husband and Father and to express my sympathy. I cannot say I was a close friend, but I can assuredly attest that, mostly thru the warmth of his personality, I came to enjoy his company during the course of which I learned to admire his skills as the quintessential salesman (meaning that in the most complimentary manner possible). My heartfelt sympathy, DonRice
Don Rice, Belleville, Illinois, 62223
Please accept my deepest sympathy for I too know the pain of losing someone you love. May your family find comfort as I have in knowing that our loving heavenly Father promises us that very soon he will 'swallow up death forever and wipe the tears from all faces' by means of his son Jesus. (Isaiah 25:8) What a wonderful day that will be!
(Isaiah 25:8) He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces. And the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for Jehovah himself has spoken [it].
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