Joseph Lester Ryan passed away peacefully at Kadlec Medical Center April 6th at the age of 94.  He was born to T. W. Will Ryan and Jessie Clark Ryan May 21st 1910 at Pullman, WA.  Graduating from Pullman High School in 1928, he attended W.S.U. known then as W.S.C. while helping operate the family farm at Pullman.  In 1941 he bought a ranch at Central Ferry in Garfield County.  He married Ethel Shangle at Pomeroy April 21st 1945.  From this union 2 daughters, JoAnn and Mary were born.  He sold the ranch and worked various places until 1958 when the family moved to Oak Harbor, WA where he went to work selling insurance with his brother-in-law Charles Roberts.  In 1961 the family settled in Colfax, WA.  He worked for McGregor for 2 years then went to work for Arrow Machinery.  He retired in 1993 but continued working for them part time until 1997.  He moved to West Richland in 1998 to be closer to family.

Joe loved to sing and was a member of the choir at St. Pats in Colfax for many years.  He also “made up” songs.  He said they weren’t good enough to say he “composed” them.  He enjoyed sports, was a town baseball pitcher in his younger years, loved to read, play golf and take his daily walks.  He enjoyed talking to people and, it’s safe to say, he just enjoyed living.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Nell McNeilly and his brother Tom Ryan.

He is survived by his wife Ethel at the home in West Richland, his daughters JoAnn Bearce and her husband Ed of Benton City, WA, Mary Knight and companion John of Spokane, WA, 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, sister Eileen Roberts of Mt. Vernon, WA, brother Jack and wife Marlene of Pullman, WA, and several nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be said at Christ the King Catholic Church at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday April 13th.  A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the church April 14th with a graveside service at Pomeroy City Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. April 15th.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the general fund at Christ the King.