Charles E. (Jr.) Ryan

Charles E. Ryan, Jr., born February 4, 1924, passed away on Dec. 9, 2021.   He was born to Charles Edward and Agnes Jayne (Kerr) Ryan in Granville, Illinois.  He was the loving husband of Maria (Hyniuk) Ryan with whom he shared 44 years of marriage and friendship.  Father to Mark Ryan of Miami Springs, FL and Luke Ryan (deceased). He was preceded in death by his brother Dennis Ryan of Forest Park, IL and Kenneth Ryan of Yellow Springs, OH.  He is survived by many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

A proud veteran of World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Corps 568th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group stationed in England.   The Navigator of a B17 Bomber Aircraft “Angel in D’Skies”, he flew fifteen combat missions before suffering injuries while being shot down over the North Sea.  He served nine months as a POW in Stalag Luft-III, West Camp, before being liberated by US troops, receiving a Purple Heart, an Air Medal and a Prisoner-of-War medal.  He would continue to serve in the Korean Conflict as a Navigator Instructor and retire from the Airforce Reserve as a Major.

Chuck spent his formative years in Chicago and attended Thomas Kelly H.S.  Following his service, he would continue his education and complete a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University in 1949.  He was a proud “Boilermaker” and supporter of Purdue University for the rest of his life, including the creation of an education scholarship fund.

A dedicated member of the US military, he continued to serve the Air Force as a civilian research and development engineer, specializing in gas turbine control systems.  He retired from his civil service in 1981.

Chuck was a meticulous and organized man who loved his country, his wife Maria, his family, football and basketball.  He will be dearly missed by his family and friends but he will always be present in our hearts. Visitation is Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm at Belton-Stroup Funeral Home 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn, OH.  A short service will follow at 4pm, all are welcome.  A graveside service will be held on Friday December 17, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleums, 7201 Archer Rd, Justice, IL 60458

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to a cause that was dear to his heart.

The Purdue Foundation c/o Jacob Griffin, 403 W. Wood St., West Lafeyette, IN 47907. In the memo section write: The Maria Hyniuk Ryan and Charles E. Ryan, Jr. Scholarship.

The Greene County Council on Aging, 1195 West Second Street, Xenia, OH 45385.