Rev. F. Lee Ryan

Deceased: 2016-09-02

Diocese: JOLIET IN ILLINOIS

ICTE Fall: 2001

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The Rev. F. Lee Ryan, 83, of Watseka, passed away Friday (Sept. 2, 2016).

He was born Aug. 14, 1933, in Kinsman, the son of Leo Ryan and Hildegard (Coughlin) Ryan.

Mr. Ryan served in the U.S. Army. After completing his time in the Army, he attended the University of Illinois, transferring to Conception Seminary Conception Missouri, where he received his Master of Theology degree. He was ordained a priest on May 25, 1968.

Rev. Ryan was a priest at St. Edmund’s Catholic Church in Watseka for more than 20 years. He was also a chaplin and chaplin emeritus for the Knights of Columbus. His hobbies included gardening and traveling.

Surviving are a brother, Maurice and Sue Ryan, of Palm Harbor, Fla.; sister, Leona Myers, of Dwight; nieces and nephews, Jane and Steve Fritsch, Michael and Kelly Myers, Kelly and Jeff Heckman and Kevin and Carrie Ryan.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and one brother-in-law, Richard “Dick” Myers.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Baier Funeral Home in Watseka. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Clifton, with the Rev. Vern Arseneau officiating. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Ransom.

Memorials may be made to St. Edmund’s Catholic Church.