Jerry Ryan

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Jerry D. Ryan passed away peacefully Friday, April 12, 2019, one month shy of his 91st birthday, at his home in Naperville.

He was born in St. Louis to the late Cecil and Lillie Lay Ryan. Jerry and Jo Ella Mae Mullins were married by her grandfather, the late Rev. William Wittrock, on April 18, 1951, in Hanover Lutheran Church.

He received his bachelor of science in chemical engineering from the University of Missouri School of Mines in Rolla. He then worked as a chemical engineer for National Lead in Fredericktown, Missouri, before moving to Clinton, Iowa, to work for Clinton Corn Processing. Later he became manager of quality control for that plant as well as the Montezuma, New York, plant for Nabisco Brands. After retirement he entertained himself as a researcher and exporter for an overseas client.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jo Ella Ryan; and twin great-granddaughters, Ivy Mae and Jade Ella Dailey.

Loving survivors include his sons, Edward D. (Janalee) Ryan of Clinton and Dennis J. (Debra) Ryan of Bettendorf, Iowa; daughter, Patricia E.R. (Radwan) Nader of Naperville; grandchildren, Jeff D. (Jenny) Ryan and children, Noah, Levi and Lily, Shavon M. (Luke) Caygill and children, Noah and Jace, John R. Nader and daughter, Madeline, Carl E. Ryan and son, Hunter, Jenan E. (Bradley) Dailey and daughter, Iris, and Darcy L. Ryan.

Jerry was a complex mix of intellect, humor and obsession with detail. His hobbies included electronics such as building a television, lab equipment and a home security system.

He took pleasure one day over dinner in teaching an 8-year-old grandson algebra, and at another occasion teaching a granddaughter Irish dancing. He "terrorized" grandchildren and their friends with old Gilbert and Sullivan movies as well as ancient mathematic or logic jokes. And always, he loved his wife and took great pride in telling anyone who would listen how she raised such "top notch" children.

All of his survivors believe he was a "top notch" father who will be tremendously missed.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home at 1001 N. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Hanover Lutheran Church Cemetery at 2949 Perryville Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Memorials may be sent to the funeral home or donations made to Old Hanover Church, School and Cemetery Fund in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.