Rita J. Ryan

Just two weeks after celebrating her 90th birthday, born September 4, 1926, with a backyard Mass attended by closest friends and family, Rita Ryan suffered a stroke. She lingered for two months before passing quietly on November 5, 2016, just a few days after her beloved Chicago Cubs won the World Series. A charter member of Christ the King, Rita loved the church and her family in equal measure. Nothing gave her more joy than watching grandchildren and great-grandchildren play and grow. Cookbooks and Midwest Living magazine were staples for Rita, who realized a dream with a surprise visit to Paula Deen’s restaurant in Savannah a few years ago.

Rita graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1944 and four years later married Lean C. Ryan, who was an accountant for the State of Illinois. With her four adopted children grown, Rita took a job as a teller at Heartland Credit Union when her husband, who died in 1982, took ill. After 20 years at the credit union, Rita retired. Her remaining years were happy ones. She donated to food pantries, bought school supplies for the underprivileged and was a faithful member of Phi Beta Psi. Rita was tough, and she loved life. She passed out of this world without pain, and she will long be remembered and loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Helen Donohoe and brother Edward Donohoe.

Survivors include children Maureen A. Long (Stephen) of Chandlerville, Michael E. Ryan (Cheryl Best, deceased) of Chandlerville, Martha Ryan of Springfield, Theresa Flinn (Brian) of Bath; grandchildren Carrie Richardson (Shane), Kelly Long, Meaghan Neice (Donald), Ryan Long, Brendon Boggs, Lindsay (Ryan) Vogel, Andrew and Brett Flinn; great grandchildren Keenan and Kennedy Richardson; Colby and Chase Neice; Kyla Boggs; Aubrey, Payton and Reese Vogel; sister Helen M. (William, deceased) Hegberg of Inverness, her children Rick Hegberg, Tom Hegberg (Joan) and Maureen Kauke (Bill) and their children; several nieces and nephews, and her beloved granddogs.

Visitation: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Christ the King Church.

Funeral Mass: 12:00 pm, Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Christ the King Church, with Reverend Joseph Ring and Monsignor David Lantz officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.