Carl "Kenny" Ryan

Carl “Kenny” Ryan was a quiet, hard working man who knew the true blessings of a life filled with love. Always happiest when he was spending time with his wife and children, Kenny knew great joy throughout his life as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. With his willingness to lend a hand when needed and his belief in the value of hard work, Kenny was a great friend to many, and a true example to his children and grandchildren.

Kenny's story begins in the year 1928, at the end of a decade known as the Roaring Twenties. With the nation still shaken from the terrors of the first World War, the United States showed resilience, entering into an era of prosperity and social change. Though the stock market crash that would usher in a decade of financial depression was just around the corner, the 1920s were an age of adventure and rebellion, a time of speakeasies and jazz, flappers and bobbed hair styles. In Hubbardston, Michigan, Carl Kenneth and Castella (Meservey) Ryan spent their year 1928 in happy preparation as they prepared their home for the arrival of a new life. One cold winter day, on December 28, 1928, they welcomed a precious new baby into the world, a son who they named Carl “Kenny” Ryan.

Kenny spent his childhood in Hubbardston, where he grew alongside his siblings. As the second youngest member of his family, Kenny enjoyed the company of his brothers and sisters, including Nellie, Margaret and John. While Kenny's father supported his family by working various jobs, including working on the railroad, his mother worked at Middleton Diner, among other restaurants. Growing up in some of the most financially devastating times our nation has known, Kenny attended schools only through the eighth grade, and then entered the work force. When he was just thirteen, he left home in order to work and live on a dairy farm.

When Kenny was a bit older, he found himself entering a new and exciting chapter of his life when he attended a dance in Pompeii. There, he met a young woman named Mary K, or Kay. At the time, Kay was working in a restaurant in St. Louis with her daughter, Patricia. In no time at all, Kenny knew that Kay was someone special. On November 12, 1949, Kenny and Kay joyfully joined their lives in marriage.

The newly married couple settled into a house on Valleyside Dairy Farm. Just one year after their wedding, Kenny and Kay decided to start a family together. Between 1950 and 1953, they had four children, Cheryl, Roger, Richard, and Ron. Several years later, in 1959, they welcomed one more child into their home, Randy. As a father, Kenny was quiet and soft spoken. He taught his children the value of hard work, often encouraging them to “work for anything they want.” And though Kay was the disciplinarian of the family, Kenny often had strong opinions about how things should be done.

Having learned the necessity of hard work as a child, and holding fast to the belief that “ you don’t get anything without working for it,” Kenny always worked hard to support his family. He was employed for a short time at Diamond REO before moving on to Sealed Power. While working there, Kenny, who was earning 60 cents an hour, learned that Federal Mogul was offering their employees 80 cents an hour. Without hesitation, he went to work at Federal Mogul, where he was a valuable employee for many years. He retired from Federal Mogul as a grinder in 1989. On the side, Kenny also enjoyed repairing small engines in his garage. Kay also worked to support the family, first at several area restaurants and then at Beck's grocery store.

After retiring, Kenny took advantage of his free time by doing the things he loved most, like hunting, fishing, and spending time with his wife. Always an avid outdoorsman, Kenny loved fishing at Lake George and Towline Lake near Big Rapids. He was always happiest when he had caught a pike or catfish. In his retirement, he spent many summers managing the Paris County Park Campground, where he loved feeding the fish. Kay and Kenny both enjoyed traveling, and took many memorable trips together, including an annual trip to Illinois to visit with Kay's family. Though Kenny also loved listening to Tiger Baseball with Ernie Harwell,watching old time wrestling, and playing with his dog, Jack, the times he enjoyed most were the times he spent with Kay. Kenny was a loving and devoted husband to Kay, and showed great care to her throughout their lifetime together. When Kay passed away in 2003, Kenny was devastated. Though he found comfort in the love of his family, often calling them on the phone, Kenny always yearned to be with the love of his life. He fought Leukemia for 15 years, and after many other health issues Kenny died on March 27, 2011, to be reunited with his beloved Kay.

For Carl “Kenny” Ryan, nothing in life was more important than spending time with the ones you love most. A soft spoken, sometimes stubborn man who always knew the value of hard work, Kenny loved hunting and fishing, but was happiest when he was beside his wife. With a generous spirit and a willingness to help, Kenny was a true joy to many people, and was dearly loved. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Kenny will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his daughters, Patricia (Steve) Eckert of Lakeview, Cheryl Boettger of St. Johns, sons, Ron (Amy) Ryan of Maple Rapids, Randall (Carol) Ryan of Maple Rapids, sisters, Nellie Ryan, Margaret (Ed) Swanchara, eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, and his faithful dog Jack. Kenny was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kay Ryan, brother, John Ryan, and two sons, Roger and Richard Ryan.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, March 31, 2011 at the Abbott Chapel of The Osgood Funeral Homes, Maple Rapids. Burial will follow at Payne Cemetery with Pastor David Hudgens officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2-4 PM. and 6-8 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association. To learn more about Kenny, view his Life Story film, leave a photo or memory and sign his online guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.