Ryan

James J. Ryan, 81, of Butler died early Wednesday morning at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Born April 4, 1928 in Butler, he was a son of the late Francis and Irene (Angert) Ryan.

He had worked as a painter for J.C. Ashman Painting Contractor during the 1960s and 1970s, painting many houses in the Butler area and retired in 1980 after also being a self-employed painter.

He was a member of the St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Butler. He enjoyed working in the garden, working on his house, doing crossword puzzles, playing scrabble and visiting with his family.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Patricia (Oesterling) Ryan, who he married Aug. 22, 1947; three sons, Paul (Cathy) Ryan of Butler, John (Sophie) Ryan of East Butler and James David (Bonnie) Ryan of Parker; three daughters, Kathy Weber of Grove City, Linda (Don) Neff of Chicora and Susan (Roger) Simpson of Charleston, S.C.; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are six brothers, Charles, Joseph, Donald, William, Hugh and Regis Ryan; and two sisters, Rosemary Wagner and Jane Crawford.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Arthur "King" Ryan.

<B>Ryan</B> — Friends of James J. Ryan, who died Wednesday, March 3, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 127 Franklin St., Butler. The Rev. James Dolan, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery, North Oakland.The Women's Council of St. Peter will meet at 9:35 a.m. Saturday at the church to recite the rosary.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.