Daniel J. Ryan , of Defiance, OH, age 71, passed away at the CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Center on June 29, 2011. He was born December 9, 1939 in Defiance, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel F. and Leona M. (Powers) Ryan, by brothers Donald, Thomas, and James Ryan and by sisters Madonna Hallead, and Lucille Varty. He is survived by sisters Bonnie Kinert of Port Huron, MI, Patricia Stuckman of Plainville, CT and Jane Goltzene of Cooper City, FL, by brother William S. Ryan and wife Janet of Centerville, OH, and by sister-in-law Dolores Ryan of Defiance and by numerous nieces and nephews. Dan graduated from Defiance High School in 1958. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1962 and served until 1968. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands and in Berlin, Germany. Dan was proud of the commendation letter he received from the United States Air Force for his excellent work in the Intelligence Division. Until his retirement, Dan worked in his hometown of Defiance. He spent his early years working at the Valentine Theater and then worked at Wiley-Garman Auto Supply and the Western Auto/Tru Valu Store. In his later years, Dan also worked for First Federal Savings & Loan for ten years, as a trusted courier of documents, delivering important materials to all their branches. Dan retired from this position in 2007. Dan was a lifetime member of St. Mary's Catholic church and served many years as a lector of the Biblical readings at Sunday Mass. He also served as a volunteer at the Food Pantry of St. Mary's. Dan was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post # 3360. Dan also served as a volunteer delivering Meals on Wheels. Dan Loved sports, especially the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds and enjoyed attending several Reds games each summer. Dan had a terrific memory and could easily recall the dates and details of past sporting events over many years. His entire life was spent serving other people and just being a good person. Dan loved being with and visiting all of his family and loved playing euchre at every family gathering. He impressed his family and friends with his knowledge of the facts and dates of the Ryan heritage going back for several generations. A highlight of his life was a visit to Ireland in 2007. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 5. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery where VFW Post #3360 will conduct honorary military graveside rites. Visitation will be from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. on Monday, with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. at the Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home, Defiance. Suggested memorials are to CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, Holy Cross Catholic School or St. Mary's Catholic Church. Condolences to the family may be left at www.defiancefuneralhome.com.

Visitation

JUL 4. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)

Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home 1753 S. Clinton St. Defiance, OH, 43512

Visitation

JUL 4. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (EDT)

Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home 1753 S. Clinton St. Defiance, OH, 43512

Service

JUL 5. 11:00 AM (EDT)

St. Mary's Catholic Church 707 Jefferson Ave. Defiance, OH