Lysle “Gene” Ryen, 91, of Rochester Mills, PA died Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at the Indiana Regional Medical Center in Indiana, PA.
The son of Allen Irvin and Amanda (Potts) Ryen, he was born on February 13, 1931 in Rochester Mills, PA.
Gene was a graduate of the Marion Center High School Class of 1949.
He wed Mary Elizabeth “Sis” (Hile) Ryen on June 2, 1952. They had shared sixty-five years of marriage when she died on July 11, 2017.
Retiring as Supervisor of the Finals Unit, Gene’s career with the Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation District 10-0 spanned thirty-five years.
At the age of eighteen Gene tried out for the position of pitcher with the Cleveland Indians. The Indians were interested in his pitching talents and advised him to go home to gain some weight and muscle and then return.
Two weeks later Gene was stricken with polio, which ended his childhood dream to be a professional baseball player. However, Gene always believed God had a different plan for him. He was often heard saying this life changing experience made him a stronger and better man.
All of his life Gene was an avid lover of baseball, hunting and many sports.
Active in his community, Gene was a charter and life time member of the Rochester Mills Rod & Gun Club and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. As a past board member of the Pine Grove Cemetery in Rochester Mills, PA, he and his wife “Sis” helped plot the cemetery and create the cemetery maps.
Gene believed in God. He loved and lived for his family. Gene loved life, his community and his country. Gene was his own man and gave everything his best.
He is survived by his three children: Rick Ryen of Slidell, LA; Ted Ryen and wife Janet Molash Ryen of Marion Center, PA and Maureen Pounds and husband Dave of Marion Center, PA; seven grandchildren: Daniel Ryen (Brittney) of Slidell, LA; Benjamin Ryen of Olympia, WA; Troy Ryen of Colorado Springs, CO; Gina Ryen-Force (Chris) of Indiana, PA; Reagan Ryen of Marion Center, PA; Megan Shoop (Bob) of Plumville, PA and Zack Pounds of Marion Center, PA and five great grandchildren: Bentley Ryen of Slidell, LA; Magnolia Ryen of Olympia, WA; Kash Force of Indiana, PA and Olivia and Hunter Shoop, both of Plumville, PA.
Also surviving are Gene’s two sisters-in-law, Margaret Ryen and Vera Ryen, several nieces and nephews and cousins too numerous to mention by name.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his daughter-in-law, Sandy (Minor) Ryen; his six brothers: Irvin A.; Roy H.; Leonard Blaine; Robert James; David Budd and Kenneth Ray Ryen; his three sisters: Goldie (Ryen) Pardee; Joyce (Ryen) Simpson and Shirley Lou Ryen; half brother Rex Ryen; half sister Rose (Ryen) Gorman and his parents-in-law, Edwin M. and Mary A. (O’Connor) Hile.
Family and friends will be received from 1-3:00 p.m. and 6-9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at the Rairigh Funeral Home, Ltd. in Hillsdale, PA, where an 11:00 a.m. funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Rev. Bruce Shannon will officiate. Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery in Rochester Mills, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be forwarded to the Pine Grove Cemetery in care of Ed Steele, 1395 East Creek Rd., Rochester Mills, PA 15771
Visit www.rairighfh.com to sign Gene’s guestbook and share a condolence message.