Muriel Joan Ryan (nee Melcher) passed away peacefully in her home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
surrounded by her family on July 6, 2020. It was her final wish to stay in her beautiful home with her
loved ones caring for her in her last hours, and Muriel was persistent in bringing her desires to fruition in
this respect as she was throughout her life.
Muriel Joan was the daughter of Ann Rita Melcher (nee Caslin) and Louis Joseph Melcher. She was born
in Chicago on September 29, 1933 and grew up on Lafayette Street on Chicago's south side with her
older sister, Lois Annette, and younger brother, Robert Lewis. She was a loving sister and cared for her
brother when he had scarlet fever. Muriel attended Hookway Primary School and then Mercy High
School where she was an alto in the A cappela choir and a player in the All-American Girls Basketball
league. Other early achievements included being part of the Civil Air Patrol and learning to fly an
airplane. Muriel was a member of the dramatic art league at Mercy High School where she first
exhibited her artistic talents and she also attended Mundelein College.
She was married to Donald Edward Ryan on October 27, 1951 at Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County,
Illinois where her husband Don was in training. The newlyweds moved to Marietta, Georgia where Don
continued to serve in the Air Force. Muriel and Don returned to Chicago, Illinois and lived just down the
street from where she was born and raised. Muriel had a special affinity for her gentle grandmother,
Emma Caslin, and her sweet aunt, Catherine Caslin, who lived together in Roseland and she cared for
them in their final years.
As the family grew, Muriel and Don moved from the city to the Chicago suburbs and purchased a home
in Posen, Illinois, where they had eight children: Donald Edward Jr., Deborah Ann, Timothy Patrick,
Kathleen Louise, Maureen Susan, John Michael, Robert Joseph, and Melissa Lynn.
While in Posen, Muriel was very active with the St. Stanislaus parish where the children attended school
and was president of the Mother's Club. She also worked in the offices of the Posen public school prior
to moving to Wisconsin.
In 1974, Donald and Muriel were offered the opportunity to move to Sheboygan, Wisconsin to manage
an Amoco products distribution center. A few years later, they purchased the business and it became
Ryan Oil Company, Inc. Through Don's affable business acumen, and Muriel's skill in organizing and
running the office, their family business became very successful and expanded to include a chain of mini
marts. After Donald's passing in 2002, Muriel continued to run the business along with her sons until it
was sold.
In addition to raising her family, keeping house, and running a successful business, Muriel was very
involved with the St. Clement's church community. She was a communion distributor, lector, taught
Catholic Christian Doctrine to secondary students, and organized fund-raising drives and charitable
distribution events. She was also an RCIA sponsor and was Master of Ceremonies at St. Clement's 100th
Anniversary celebration. Muriel was especially proud of her work as St. Clement's Trustee-Treasurer. If
you look closely at the large church window on the front right-hand side, you will see a memorial to
Muriel and Don's involvement with St. Clement's parish.
Muriel had a large network of friends in Sheboygan starting with the Newcomers Club that she and Don
joined when they moved there in 1974. She enjoyed her social activities as a member of the Sheboygan
Yacht Club, Shoreline Women's Club, Lakeshore Garden Club, and was on the board of the People to
People Sheboygan Chapter for many years and hosted foreign students. Muriel and Don traveled the
world together, and later Muriel with her many friends and social groups. She loved her regular
gatherings with her bridge clubs and said that it helped to keep her mind sharp. She did stay
impressively clear minded and sharp to the end.
Muriel was so proud of the home that she and husband Don established in a beautiful wooded area in
the Town of Wilson south of Sheboygan, and of their peaceful lake house on Cedar Lake where many
summer picnic gatherings were hosted which always included the requisite pontoon boat ride around
the lake. After Donald's passing in 2002, Muriel acquired a winter escape home in Ocala Florida that
allowed her to be nearer to her beloved sister Lois in their final years. Muriel's loving brother Robert
also ended up nearer to her in Muskego, Wisconsin with his wife, Pat. Muriel dearly enjoyed the
extended family gatherings that Robert organized where she could visit with her remaining cousins and
relatives from the Chicago area. She treasured her time with her cousins on the Caslin side. Michael,
Nancy, and Maureen were all dear to her and she especially loved when they were able to visit her in
Sheboygan in her later years.
Muriel was a high energy, beautiful, intelligent, and loving woman. She was always there for anyone
when she saw a need, but family was most important. With her vivaciousness, verve, ambition, drive,
and skill, she could have done anything, but her primary focus was always on making sure that everyone
in her large family was safe, protected, provided for, and happy.
She is survived by her brother, Robert Melcher (Pat); her nephew, Dan Bruns; and by her eight children:
Donald Ryan Jr. (Judy), Deborah Ryan, Timothy Ryan (Eva), Kathleen Hoffman (David), Maureen Ryan,
John Ryan, Robert Ryan (Mary), and Melissa Neese (Randal). She is further survived by 21 grandchildren,
and 16 great grandchildren including her special Brayden. The great grandkids referred to her as
“Grandma Great” although controversy ensued when some of the youngest ones misunderstood and
called her “Grandma Grape”. Amazingly, she always personally remembered each and every one of the
multitudinous birthdays almost right down to her last weeks, and her famous black bottom cupcakes
that she baked for the celebrations disappeared as soon as the plate was set down.
Muriel touched so many lives and will be so dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald Ryan; her sister and brother-in-law, Lois and
Alan Bruns; her parents, Ann and Louis Melcher; nieces Bonnie Kiernicki (nee Bruns) and Cheryl Bruns;
nephew, Jimmy Bruns; and by her cherished grandson, Douglas Ryan Felde.
The family is deeply appreciative of the care, comfort, and solace tenderly given by so many during
Muriel's final days and offer heartfelt thanks to Sharon Richardson hospice care, Dr. Michael Johnson,
Nurse Practitioner Jessica Murphy, and Father Matthew Widder.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Clement's Church in Sheboygan at 11:00 a.m. on
Monday, July 13, 2020, with a socially distanced visitation in the church from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Interment will be at Woodland Cemetery in Kohler, Wisconsin. Please visit
www.zimmerfuneralhome.com to leave online condolences.
