Joe Ryan

Joe Ryan, 72, of Parsons, died at 3:45 a.m., Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. He was born July 20, 1940, in Vinita, Oklahoma, to Martin Albert Ryan, Sr. and Bessie E. (Fuller) Ryan. Joe was a 1958 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont and earned an Associate degree from Parsons Junior College. He served in the United States Army from 1962-1964. He owned and operated Joe's Club in Parsons for several years and was a 40-year employee at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant until retiring in 2004. Joe was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church where he attended every Sunday until his health failed. He loved to fish and hunt with his friends, especially his best friend, Tuffy. Joe enjoyed playing cards, visiting, and taking motorcycle trips and having a few drinks with his friends; and, in younger years, playing softball and football. He received great enjoyment in coaching his daughter's elementary basketball team, attending his sons' wrestling matches, and coaching both girl's and men's softball teams. He and Sharon Lowry were married. They later divorced. He and Nancy Yeoman were married. They later divorced. Survivors include: Two Sons – Dallas Allen Ryan San Francisco, CA Jason Allen Ryan Olathe, KS One Daughter – Sherri Hyer Olathe, KS Two Grandchildren – Jackson and Olivia Hyer Two Sisters – Joyce Thompson Parsons, KS Betty Fitzgerald Davie, FL He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Martin Albert Ryan, Jr. The funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 18, 2013, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Nowata City Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons where the family will receive friends immediately following the rosary. Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's Catholic Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joe Ryan, please visit our flower store.