Randy Ryan

Those who knew Randy Ryan knew that in life there was a right way, a wrong way, and "the R.S. Way". He was a bit of a free spirit, a rough and tough man’s man who loved hitting the open road on his motorcycle with the wind as his only companion. Randy was a bit of a jokester who treasured the family he was so proud to call his own. He was stubborn and a real piece of work to put it mildly, but he had a way of getting inside the hearts of those he loved as well. Randy was blessed to share more than 40 years with the love of his life with whom he established the family who have become his lasting legacy.

During the year 1947 our nation was still establishing a “new normal” after the end of WWII in 1945. Men were reclaiming the jobs they left behind while Americans were again enjoying countless necessities that were not available during the war. It was also during this year that the baby boom was underway and the family of Roy Lee and Nancy (Turner) Ryan were experiencing the growth of their own family with the birth of their son, Randy, on February 26th. Randy was born in Anna, Illinois, as the second of five children in his family. He was born weighing less than two pounds and was sent home in a shoe box with hankies for diapers and due to his size, was not expected to live. Apparently the fighter in Randy emerged during his earliest days because he did more than just survive, he thrived. His father worked as an engineer on the railroad while his mother was a nurse who is described as a strong woman. During his formative years his family moved around quite a bit, although it was always within southern Illinois.

Right from the start, Randy was all boy. He played both baseball and basketball as a young boy and got into his fair share of trouble. Since his father was the main disciplinarian in the Ryan home, Randy was lucky that his mother sometimes bailed him out of trouble, saving his skin more than once. On one occasion, he even took a Volkswagen into a river just to see if it would float! Randy babysat for his younger siblings at times although his babysitting skills were a bit unusual such as the time he cleaned up his younger sister’s mess in her pants with Clorox. Randy often kept things lively in the Ryan home like the time his brother Tommy attempted to steal one of Randy’s pancakes. Randy would have no part of that so he threw his fork at him and Tommy found himself with the fork sticking right in his side!

As a young man, Randy travelled down a few different roads. He served in the Navy aboard the USS Oriskany and USS Ticonderoga ship and was stationed in California. Randy honorably served his country from 1966 until 1970. Ever since he was a young boy, Randy loved a young girl named Carolyn Hadders whose sister was married to Randy’s Uncle Bob. Randy and Carolyn grew up together and in high school, Carolyn went along with her niece to visith her dad, Carolyn's brother-in-law, during the summer. It was during these visits that the relationship between Randy and Carolyn blossomed into true love. While he was in the service, Randy’s mother picked up the ring that the couple had chosen together and mailed it to Carolyn and with that, the couple was engaged. They married on December 6, 1969, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kankakee, Illinois.

Life became more fulfilling for Randy and Carolyn when they became the parents of two children, Richelle and Bryan. As a father, Randy was actively involved in the lives of his children. He supported his son’s athletic endeavors and never missed one of his ball games. Randy also taught his daughter how to change the oil in her car and was expected to take care of this task when the time came, but the oil was to be changed Randy’s way of course! Nothing could have been better for Randy’s son than the times he got a ride to school on his dad’s motorcycle. Dinner time was often eventful since Randy chose this time to talk about his old girlfriends, but only when mashed potatoes were being served because he knew eventually he would get hit with flying potatoes! Randy supported his family through the years in a variety of ways including as a truck driver, a welder, a heating and air conditioning mechanic, and as a heavy machine operator.

With his leisure time, Randy loved pursuing his interests. He was passionate about motorcycles, specifically Harley Davidson’s. Randy was nicknamed “Stubbs” because he chopped off part of his fingers when he got them caught in his motorcycle chain. He was a member of the Just-Us Motorcycle Club since 1976 where he could share his love with other motorcycle enthusiasts. Randy truly enjoyed the special camping trips he took with the motorcycle club, combining his great love both for motorcycles and the great outdoors. He liked both hunting and fishing, too, as often as time allowed.

Life was anything but ordinary when Randy Ryan was around as his infectious personality made you love him unconditionality. Although he loved his wife deeply, he was never one for anything sentimental or romantic allowing her to re-use the same birthday and anniversary cards each year. To Randy, it was the big things in life that mattered like supporting his son, teaching his daughter to become independent, and making the most of each day he was given. Randy was such a special man to so many who will be dearly missed.

Randy Ryan died on May 22, 2010. Randy’s family includes his mother, Nancy of McClure, IL; his wife, Carolyn of Onarga, IL; his daughter. Richelle (Michael) Ryan-Hill of Nashville, TN; and one son, Bryan (Brianne) Ryan of Clifton, IL; grandchildren, Chelby, Jasmine, Brooklyn, Hailey, and Jace; brother and sister-in-law, Terry Lee and Deborah Rhodes of Ferrelview, MO, and brother and sister-in-law Tommy (Daryl) Ryan of Milstadt, IL; 2 sisters, Vicky Rodgers of Columbus, IN, and Patsy Ryan of McClure, IL as well as several nieces and nephews and a favorite sister-in-law, Evey Dexter of Bourbonnais. Randy was preceded in death by his father. Funeral services will be May 27, 2010 at the Kankakee Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. A visitation will be May 26, 2010 at the Kankakee Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to the charity of the family’s choosing.