Donald Hubert Ryan
June 23, 1932 — July 21, 2025
Donald Hubert Ryan, 93 of Taylorville, passed away at 10:36 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025. He was born on June 23, 1932, in Pana, the son of Glenn and Fern (Johnson) Ryan. He married Sally Anne Ryan on August 5, 1953, in Missouri.
Don is survived by his son: Mark Ryan (Cindy) of Springfield; grandsons: Jeff Ryan (Maria) of Arvada, Colorado, and Jared Ryan of Springfield; great granddaughter: Nora Ryan; great grandson: Nash Ryan, and sister: Judy Brierly (Jerry) of Springfield, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Sally Anne Ryan; sisters: Roberta Pray, Jean Reincke, Wanda Bates, and Carolyn Cothern.
Don was a four-year starter in football for Pana High School. He then started as an offensive lineman for one year in football at SIU Carbondale. Don was in the Navy, serving on the USS Everglades in the Mediterranean Sea. He also worked with his father on their family farm. Don was the co-owner of Craggs & Ryan International Harvester Implement Store in Pana, IL. He started Ryan’s Scrap Iron and Metal specializing in ferrous and nonferrous metals. Don then built and operated Ryan’s Inn Motel in Taylorville. He was a member of the Shrinerís, the Elks, the Moose and the Taylorville Country Club. Growing up on the farm instilled a hard work ethic which carried on throughout his career. Don was an honest man and well respected within the Taylorville business community.
Upon their visits to see Don, Jeff and Jared always enjoyed listening to their grandpa’s humorous life stories which sparked great memories they will certainly cherish forever.
Many thanks to Theresa Rickman for her devoted and extensive care for both Don and Sally over the last ten years. Her dedication was above and beyond expectations. Many thanks, as well, to Marilyn White who also cared for Don over the past two years. Don wished to express his gratitude to his gracious friends, Don and Joyce Kelley for their long-lasting friendship.
Don will be cremated, and a private inurnment will take place at a later date at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. Memorials may be made directly to Kemmerer Village, 941 N. 2500 East Road, Assumption, Ill., 62510. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.
