James "Jimmy" F. Ryan

James "Jimmy" F. Ryan 54, of DeKalb passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 12, 2021 at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb.  He was born February 20, 1967, in the DeKalb Public Hospital, and was the son of James W. and Hannelore E. (Dreher) Ryan.

Jimmy graduated from DeKalb High School in 1985 and attended Kishwaukee College studying horticulture and forestry.  He married Amy Jackson on August 5, 2011, at White Pines State Park.  Jimmy was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb, DeKalb Moose Club, was a Boy Scout with Troop 33 and an assistant Scout Master with Troop 13.  Jimmy enjoyed playing little league baseball and then later helped coach baseball and softball with DeKalb Park District.  He loved volunteering, was always willing to help out his family and friends.  He enjoyed the horticulture and loved being involved with the family tree and landscaping business. Jimmy loved the outdoors, kids, Nascar, taking family vacations, working on cars, camping and traveling in their motorhome, and he loved spending time with his family and friends.

Jimmy was diagnosed with Diabetes when he was six years old.  He was the first recipient on trial basis of what was called the "insulin-pen pump" at the age of 14, which later lead into devices used today to control diabetes and also lead into "pain pumps" that are also used today.  He underwent several transplants, and along with his family were always grateful for his donors.

Survivors include; wife Amy of DeKalb, son; Matthew Moon of DeKalb, daughters; Acacia and Jai'lee Ryan of DeKalb, Father; James W. Ryan of DeKalb, brothers; Michael Ryan of DeKalb, DaRin (Nicole Fleming) Ryan of DeKalb, Alexander Ryan of Germany, and Frances Ryan of DeKalb and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his mother Hannelore E. Ryan.

Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, December 23, 2021, at 1:00pm at St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb with Father Dean Russell officiating.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Finch Funeral Home in DeKalb.  Masks will be required at all services. Cremation was entrusted to Finch Crematory, and burial of cremains will be at a later date in the St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Ransom, IL, where his grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather are buried. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to: https://www2.jdrf.org/ the Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.