Francis Joseph “Frank” Ryan, 77, died of natural causes at 7:05 p.m., on Wednesday, May 21, 2009, at St. Joseph Hospital, Plymouth. A resident of Plymouth since 2001, he came here from South Bend; he was formerly from Bristol, Indiana. Frank was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 9, 1931. He was the son of Thomas and Francis Cuffe Ryan. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Lake Forest College in 1954. He received his Masters degree from Northern Illinois University in 1968. He was married to Alice Jane Smith on October 18, 1952, in Waukegan, Illinois. Frank worked as a school teacher for many years in Illinois prior to 1969, at which time he became the Executive Director of the Marion County Association for Retarded Children in Indianapolis. In 1974, he left MCARC to take a position with Harbor General Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. In 1980, he began a position as Regional Economic Development Specialist for the Department of Commerce of the State of Indiana, a position he held until his retirement in 1999. Frank was an avid horseman, raising and training horses for many years. He also was a musician, who played the trumpet and enjoyed a diversity of music. He is survived by two daughters and three sons. His daughters and sons-in-law are: Ann M. and Kieran Mathieson of Rochester Hills, Michigan; and Marian “Molly” and Jeremy Sprigler of Geneva, Illinois. His sons and daughters-in-law are: Terence F. Ryan of Claremont, California; Patrick J. and Mary Beth Ryan of Plymouth, Indiana; and Kevin R. and Caroline Ryan of Bloomington, Indiana. Frank’s grandchildren are: Crystal, Quincy, Cullyn, Greer, Madeline, Daniel, Teagan, and Asher. He is also survived by brother and sister-in-law, Martin D. “Des” and Leone Ryan, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and sister-in-law Patricia B. Ryan of Knoxville, Tennessee. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his sister and brother-in-law (Sheila and Joe Dawson), his brother (Thomas K. Ryan), and a daughter (Sheila M. Ryan). Friends are invited to share memories of Frank with his family from 5-7 PM on Monday, May 25, 2009, at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St.,
Plymouth, IN. A Mass of Christian Burial for Frank will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, 612 N. Center St., Plymouth where friends may
call after 10 a.m. The Rev. Father William Kummer will officiate.
Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Frank’s memory may be made to St. Michael School “Operation Play/Pray Zone”.
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