Dennis Ryan

Colonel Dennis M. Ryan, U.S. Army (Retired), 81, of Lewis Center, Ohio, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma. Born on March 21, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of the late Harry W. and Rose Margaret (Doyle) Ryan.

A Life of Service and Leadership

Dennis was a proud graduate of St. Ignatius High School ('63). He pursued his undergraduate studies at John Carroll University and Cleveland State University, and later earned his MBA from Xavier University. These academic foundations paved the way for a distinguished civilian career with the USAF Logistics Command. In this role, Dennis managed logistics teams in support of the nation's most critical defense programs. Parallel to his civilian service, he committed over thirty years to the Army National Guard, retiring at the rank of Colonel.

Dennis proudly achieved his dream of retiring early and spent sixteen vibrant years with his wife, Marceda, in Florida.

Faith, Family, and Global Adventures

A devout Catholic, Dennis centered his life on his faith and his family. He grew up in a large Catholic family with six brothers and one sister. From calling for the family rosary, to quietly reading (yet another) saint book, to volunteering and helping complete strangers, Dennis truly lived his faith with a special grace.

Throughout many family moves, Dennis and Marceda had a rare gift for turning neighbors into lifelong friends. As the ultimate host, Dennis loved welcoming family and friends to the 'Ryan's Resort'. With large paper maps and stacks of travel books, he was always plotting their next global adventure.

Dennis is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Marceda Ryan; his three children, Dawn (Mark) Wobbe, Denise (Jerry) Kueny, and Keith Ryan; and his three cherished grandchildren, Ryan Wobbe, Rachel Wobbe, and Kevin Kueny. His memory lives on through his extensive family and many friends.

A Genuine People Person

Dennis never met a stranger. If you spoke with him for five minutes, he likely knew your entire life story. He was a lifelong learner with a vast knowledge of history, military strategy, and sports—tools he used to find common ground with anyone he met. He showed a genuine, rare interest in people that left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

Rest in Peace

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 29, at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Cleveland. Burial with military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park. Afterward, all friends and family are invited to a luncheon at Brennan's Banquet Center (13000 Triskett Rd, Cleveland).

For out of town family and friends, the funeral mass will be livestreamed on Saturday, August 29th at 10:00 AM. Go to https://olangels.org and click on 'YouTube Video Masses'. The video will remain online for viewing at a later time.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dennis’ name online at the Friends of the Poor Clares Website, or via mail (3501 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, OH 44111).