Wallace E. "Wally" Ryan's Obituary
Decatur – Wallace Edison Ryan, 83, of Decatur, passed away Saturday, August 9, 2014 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Wallace was born July 9, 1931 in Mt. Pulaski, Illinois the son of Wilford E. and Ida (Gill) Ryan. A Navy Veteran of the Korean War he worked for A.E. Staley for 17 years before starting his own business, Ryan Equipment and Supply, which he owned/operated for 39 years. He was a member of Central Christian Church, American Legion and Korean War Veterans, lifetime member of Mt. Pulaski Masonic Lodge #87 and Scottish Rite. He was a past board member of Macon County Crime Stoppers as well as Decatur and Mt. Zion Chambers of Commerce.
Wallace was also a lifetime member of Barbershop Harmony Society and sang lead in the entertaining quartet “The Yachtsmen.” He also directed the Barbershop Society, Sweet Adeline Choruses, and coached many quartets in Decatur and central Illinois. Wallace also liked to garden and was a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardner. He married Helen Ruth Warmkessel Aug. 9, 1952 in Allentown, PA.
Surviving is his wife Helen of Decatur; children: Jeffrey Ryan of Decatur and Jennifer (Justin) Dial of Bethany; grandchildren: Kyle Ryan, David Dial, and Daniel Houser; great granddaughter, Natalie Jolene Houser; brother, Ivan (Joyce) Ryan of NC; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Wallace was preceded in death by his parents, four infant daughters, one infant son, one brother, Ralph and one sister, June.
Services to celebrate his life will be 11 am, Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Central Christian Church. Burial will take place at a later date.
The Ryan family is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2091 N. Oakland Ave., Decatur, IL 62526. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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