James A. Ryan, age 86, died Friday morning, March 10, 2006 at Rose Haven Nursing Home, Marengo following a brief illness. Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 13, 2006 St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Marengo with Fr. Joseph Roost officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 P.M. Sunday, March 12, 2006 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo where there will be a Vigil Service at 6 P.M. A memorial fund has been established.

He is survived by his wife, Sibyl, three sons, Thomas (Theresa) of Marengo, Bart (Alicia) of Iowa City and Don (Kandi) of Marengo; a daughter, Leanne Cronbaugh (Don Max) of Belle Plaine, seven grandchildren, Jennifer Ryan, Matthew Ryan, Calli Cronbaugh, Abby Cronbaugh, Ben Cronbaugh, Elisa Ryan and Gregory Ryan; a great-grandson, Luke Ryan, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Paul and Louis, and a sister, Margaret Cavanaugh.

James Adrian Ryan was born July 30, 1919 in Iowa County, Iowa, the son of Edward and Caroline Frimml Ryan. He received his education in the Iowa county schools and attended Marengo High School. Jim married Sibyl Arneson on August 26, 1944 in Chicago, IL. and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He farmed west of Marengo all his life. Jim also was employed as an Iowa Valley School bus driver for 15 years, and worked at the ASCS office in Williamsburg. Jim was a lifetime member of the Marengo American Legion Post #76 and the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Marengo.