Jane Johnson Ryan

Jane Johnson Ryan, 54, of Springfield, died at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Memorial Medical Center after a courageous 4-year battle with breast cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Jane was born on February 14, 1964, in Jacksonville to Robert and Judy Tranquilli Johnson. She married her high school sweetheart, Steve Ryan, at Sacred Heart Church in Franklin on June 14, 1986. They enjoyed 32 wonderful years of marriage.

Jane was raised on the farm and attended Waverly schools. She graduated summa cum laude from Bradley University in 1986. She worked in Chicago as the member policy coordinator for the Institute of Real Estate Management. Jane later served as the director of the volunteer program at University Hospitals in Iowa City, with nearly a thousand volunteers. She was a tireless supporter of her husbands career, through 11 years of medical school and residency, and another 21 years of medical practice.

Jane had a love of and talent for working with children. She volunteered at the crisis nursery while in college, and after college, she worked as an admissions counselor for Bradley. For several years, she served as the director of the junior volunteer program at University Hospitals. She worked at a preschool outside of Iowa City, Kinderfarm, where she taught, cooked, and drove the van. Jane was a teachers aide for kindergarten and first grade at St. Agnes School, and also taught PSR. She was the head junior high track coach at St. Agnes and Blessed Sacrament schools, a job for which she had boundless energy.

Janes hobbies included gardening, painting, cooking, and her kids many sports activities. She loved working with her yellow lab, Holly. She enjoyed many good times with the wonderful friends in her book club, the Happy Bookers. Jane had a zest for life that persisted through this long and difficult illness. She demonstrated a remarkable faith, dignity, and infectious smile until the last day of her life.

Jane is survived by her husband, Steve and her parents. She is most proud of her three sons, Patrick of Springfield, Sean of Alton, and Michael of Peoria. She is also survived by her sister, Joni Gray (Shane) of Waverly; two brothers, Jay (Kelly) of Springfield and Jack of California; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her dear sister, Joy and her in-laws, Jim and Gerry Ryan of Waverly.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at St. Agnes Church, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield.

Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at St. Agnes Church with Rev. Robert J. Jallas, celebrant.

Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Franklin, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the St. Agnes Parish Capital Improvements Fund, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield, IL 62702 or the Waverly Fire and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 18, Waverly, IL 62692.