John M. Ryan

Judge John M. Ryan 86, of Indianapolis, passed away July 7, 2006. John was the son of the late Michael and Veronica (Sommers) Ryan born on July 3, 1920. Judge Ryan was the Senior Judge of the Marion County Circuit. He was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1948 and became a partner with the firm of Merrell Reese Robb & Ryan. He was a City Prosecutor from 1951 to 1955 and was appointed Judge of Marion Country Supreme Court at the age of 37, one of the youngest judges to serve in that position. He served as Judge of the Appellate court of Indiana for the next six years and then ran for the position of Lieutenant Governor on the Republican ticket in 1964 and not a year in which Republicans won. From 1968-72 he was a State Senator and at the same time served in the capacity as vice president and counsel for the American Fletcher National Bank and Trust Company. He served as Parliamentarian of the Indiana Senate from 1974-80, and then joined the law firm of Dutton Kappes & Overman and serves as Economic Advisor to the Lt Governor Robert D. Orr. He has served as Chairman of the Mayor's task force on Black Capitalism and on the "500" Festival Association Board of Directors. He was member and past president of the Indianapolis Notre Dame Club, member of Marion County Republican Veterans of World Was II having served in the US Navy as Lt. jg as a flight instructor, Country Club of Indianapolis, Woodstock Club, was the State Judge Advocate for the American Legion serving two terms, Columbia Club. American Legion in Columbia City, IN. He was a member of the American, Indiana and Marion County Bar Associations, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Phi Delta Legal Fraternity. Served on various boards including the Catholic Youth Organization Executive commission of Downtown and the Indiana University Alumni Association Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday July 12th at 11:00 a.m. in St. Luke Catholic Church of which he was a member. Family and friends will gather on Tuesday July 11th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel. John is survived by his wife; Mary Ellen (Kennedy) Ryan and his children; John M. Ryan, Jr. and Kay Ryan Booth along with his grandchildren; Dillon and Casey Booth, Jessica and Michael Ryan. You are invited to visit the website, where you can share a memory, sign the guest book or make a memorial contribution to the Little Sister of The Poor, 2345 West 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260. www.leppertmortuary.com