Wow, I am so happy to see such wonderful posts about Mike, but not surprised.  It is nice to see others also knew the Michael his family knew and loved.
It was also comforting to see so many of his collegues at his funeral on Saturday.  Thank you for caring.  We may not know you all by name, but please know we acknowledge your presence and appreciate your heartfelt kindness.  Sherry Ryan (sister-in-law) on behalf of Mike Ryan's family

Memories of my best friend in our teenage years. Time may have seperated us over the years but I still remember all the good times we had hanging out and working on our cars.

Mike was a special collegue and friend over the past 20 years. We worked together at UTC and I/R. He was a great business man and even more importantly, a fantastic human being, always willing to help people. I am going to miss him tremendously.
Rest in Peace

Chris, Katie, Mick,
We were shocked to hear of Mike's passing.  May you have more peace and strength with each passing day.  
With deepest sympathy,
Patti and Brent Snelson

Mike was a great boss and leader. Many great discussions about work and life in those cold wintery trips to Gwinner.
We will miss him! 
Rest in Peace

Mike never stopped working -- totally on behalf of his family.  With the fondest memories of Mike and his great great family.

Ryan family, Mike was a great professional and even better person. I was fortunate to work for him at Bobcat. He loved his family very much. We had many good talks in his office or on our drives, he always brought his family in to the conversation. Our prayers are with you. Peace.

Mike was the best boss I've worked for.  We had a lot of good times in North Dakota- I'll miss him
Peace Mike

He was a quiet man, a gentle man, a kind man, he treated all with dignity and respect.  Rest in peace Mike Ryan.

Mr. Ryan
Reading all of your messages brought me to tears. Your accomplishments are remarkable.  Your biggest being your children and grandchildren.  I have had the honor of knowing Mick and Merideth for several years. They are remarkable human beings. Mick has all of the qualities one would want their son to have.  You were the influence in making that happen.  As a parent I pray I do as good of a job with my little boys.  
May heaven be everything you dreamed of.

I find comfort in the words of the Apostle Paul, "Nothing separates us from God's Love".  Rest in peace and Godspeed to Heaven Mike Ryan.

You were a wonderful man, father and grandfather.  Thank you for giving me the best husband in the world.  You taught him strong values, gave him life, and provided for him.  You helped him become the man he is today.  Thank you for being a wonderful grandfather.  My fondest memories of you will be holding your grandchildren so close to your chest while you told us your favorite stories about Mick and Katie as little babies - you knew every fact, detail and story and we ate it up!  You were magic with Braeden - you could get him to stop crying and to actually sleep in just minutes when he was first born.  You called him "your little buddy".  I know you will be watching him from heaven and he will have you as his guardian angel.    We will tell Madison and Braeden all about you and make sure that they know their Grandpa Ryan.  We love you so much and know you are sitting in heaven with your mom, enjoying peace.  With all my love, your daughter-in-law Merideth.

Sorry for your loss. prayers are with you and the family! Jean Eiter-Craven

Uncle Mike,

As I sit here reading all of the honest and true statements of the kind of man you were and how much you were loved i'm overcome with sadness. I'm sorry. I remember you as the hardest of hard working men. You did so much for everyone around you and never expected anything in return. You were so successful and took pride in your work. You were always the most laid-back and calm man enjoying the life around you. I'll never forget (nor will Pat let us forget) those paper routes you two had. He loved you so much and always enjoyed getting your calls. Thank you for teaching/showing me what a real man looks like. You will be missed so much by all of your family and friends here in Michigan. I pray that Heaven is everything you imagined it would be and more. I love you Uncle Mike.

I suppose that all fathers have to exhibit patience with teens, but you were among the best, Mr Ryan. On any given day there were probably 10 extra kids in your house, eating your food and stealing any peace and quiet that might exist. You always handled it with grace and good humor. Growing up I knew nothing but generosity when I was in your home. This week I have been thinking about so many of the times you welcomed me, despite my increasingly crazier antics, from Canadian Lakes to spring break to Charlevoix and everything in between. One of my fondest memories is of the first time you met my son, Reece. He wasn't quite 3, and was feeling nervous to be in your home with people he didn't know. You went off and found a Kubota tractor replica and gave it to Reece. From then on you had Reece's rapt attention and admiration; we still have that orange tractor. It was just your style to reach out and make people feel at home. Katie and Mick are so lucky to have had such an amazing  father. You are missed so much by so many and will never be forgotten. Sending all my love to Mrs Ryan, Mick, Katie, and the rest of the family...

I will cherish all the the great memories of family vacations taken with Uncle Mike and the rest of the family. Playing mini golf in Myrtle Beach, going to the top of the Empire State Building, etc...too many to mention.  
As a kid, I always loved going to Uncle Mike and Aunt Chris's house to visit or spend a holiday.  They always made it an adventure.
 
Uncle Mike, 
When I think of you I will always remember your laugh and your handsome smile.  You are loved and respected by everyone that knows you and always will be.

Mr. Ryan was a truly kind person.  I always felt welcome In his home no matter how late and loud it got.  I will always remember the 2nd holiday dinners at the Ryan home and Mr. Ryan's in depth knowledge of genus trivial pursuit questions!  Farewell Mike, I will remember you fondly!

Dear Uncle Mike, 
My memories include taking the boat out on Lake Charlevoix, watching movies, playing games, and bonfires. These are some of my fondest memories, I had a blast. I had so many great times with you up there. You always made everyone smile and were so kind. You will be missed forever, and thank you for giving me these memories I will always look back on and smile.
Love, Jessica

     Dear Uncle Mike,
We had a lot of great memories throughout the years. Such as when we were jet skiing around Lake Charlevoix and we went all the way to The Landing and you made me go 60 m.p.h. Or the time when everyone went to see Joan Rivers and we stayed home and played a football game,ordered pizza, and fell asleep watching movies. Or the times we would play Scrabble or Trivia Pursuit and I would always want you on my team because you were always the best. Or the time when I told you, you were wearing boxers around when you had ur plaid shorts on.Or the time when I raced you down the hill when we were skiing in Boyne. Or even the time we went to the classic car show in Charlevoix. Uncle Mike we all loved you. You were a great and joyful guy to be around.Hopefully you're wearing your plaid shorts so the angels can agree with me that they look like boxers up in heaven.Love you.
                                                                                         Jack

Uncle Mike,
I will always remember the summer days I spent with you in Charlevoix. You always put a smile on my face. We had a lot of great times together. I remember how you would always be the best in scrabble and how you didn't want to go to the Proposal but you did because we were all going. You will be missed. 
Love you lots,
Jordan

My memories of my Uncle Mike are peppered throughout my life.  I smile when I see a young couple in my Aunt and Uncle (looking very swinging 70s!) holding me as an infant.  I smile when I think of our family visits together.  I remember many beautiful houses and I remember my Uncle riding a motorcycle with me on the back--everything seemed so big back then.  You are a loving father to Katie and Mick--always so insightful, kind and patient.  My cousins are beautiful people because of your many efforts. To say goodbye just doesn't seem right.  So, instead I will say, see you again.  Please give my father a hug in heaven today and be well.

I will always have very fond memories of Uncle Mike. We had some very good times with him in Charlevoix, out on the boat, and playing games with the kids. I am proud to say he was my Uncle, and I'm glad we had the opportunity to share some great times with him.  He will be missed.  Laura, Jordan, Jessica, and Jack Andrews

Chris, Mick and Katie, my heart is breaking for you.  
Nick and Merideth, thank you for being there for Katie and Mick, and for being strong for them and Chris.

Dear Mike,
Maybe you didn't know how much you were loved.  You have family and friends who would do anything for you.  You were a very special man, you were so kind, and patient.  It was an honor knowing you and being a part of your family.  How are we to go on without you here?  Life will never be the same.  You will always be in our thoughts and our hearts, so therefore you will always be alive.  Our hearts break because we weren't there when you needed us most.  Please forgive us, we didn't know.  I pray now you are at peace, peace you so deserve, and are enjoying being reunited with your mom and dad. Hope to see you on the other side.  Until then, all our love forever.
Sherry and Pat

Memories of my little brother Mike:  Mike and I had the largest Detroit News paper routes on the East Side of Detroit from 1956 through 1968.  At the same time holding other part time jobs.  Following me to Notre Dame High School, graduating in 1967.  Mike then attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, obtaining a 5 year automotive engineering degree.  He immediately followed that up with an M.B.A. from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.  Mike started his work career at the Tank Automotive Command in Centerline, Michigan, followed by 10 years with Ford Tractor. The rest of his work career consisted of working as CEO or President of several large U.S. companies, including TRW, and the Bobcat Division of Ingersall Rand.  Throughout his work career, Michael designed and built new homes at every stop along the way, doing much of the landscape and decorating work himself, importing many materials from around the world especially Europe.  Watching that scrawny little paper route kid develop into the ultimate industrial leader made me a very proud older brother who admired his accomplishments every step of the way.  Mike, thanks for being a great friend, brother and mentor all your life.  I love you and you will be forever missed by all your family, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and more.  Your brother, Patrick M. Ryan, Sr.  (Pat)

OBITUARY

Michael John Ryan

July 1, 1949 – February 26, 2012

Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home

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