Michael Ryan

Michael died on November 1, 2011 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence after being diagnosed with cancer in May. Michael was born November 22, 1942 in Chicago, IL, the son of Timothy and Helen (Demakos) Ryan. Michael was united in marriage to Carol Jochem on October 30, 1965 in Quincy, IL. Michael is a graduate of Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City, IL and went on to serve in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from DePaul University in Chicago and graduated with highest honors. Michael also earned a Master of Business Administration with distinction from DePaul University, while beginning a thirty-five year career in the banking industry concentrating in information technology. Michael's early career was spent in Chicago, followed by a multi-year assignment in Brussels, Belgium. Later he relocated to the Kalamazoo area where he retired from First of America BankCorp as an information technology executive. Michael was an avid reader, investor, storyteller, enjoyed traveling, and fishing on Michigan's many lakes, but most of all treasured time with his family. Michael is survived by his wife, Carol; his son, Steven of Ypsilanti, Michigan; two daughters, Tracy Pratt and her husband, Chad, of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Kathleen Chrz and her husband, Mark, of Royal Oak, Michigan; his brother, Kevin Ryan and his wife, Kim of Downers Grove, IL, his sister Diane Orawiec of Alsip, Illinois, and his nephew John Orawiec and his wife, Courtney, of Champaign, Illinois as well as other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Timothy and Gerald. The family would like to thank the staff, nurses, and doctors of Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan for the compassionate care and support of Michael and his family, both at home and at Rose Arbor. The family will receive friends and visitors at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street in Kalamazoo from 4-9 PM Friday, November 4th. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday November 5 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1150 W. Centre in Portage. Interment will be 11:00 AM Monday, November 7 at Guardian Angel Catholic Cemetery in Rochester, MI (please note all times are Eastern Time Zone). Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or the St. Vincent de Paul society.