Edward Ryder Obituary
Visit the DeJohn Funeral Home & Celebrations Center website to view the full obituary.
Edward Ryder, 75, of Boiling Springs, South Carolina and formerly of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, passed away April 7, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born May 4, 1948 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Edward M. Ryder, Sr., and Elizabeth Freeman Ryder. He lived in Ohio until moving to SC in 2022. He grew up in the St. Aloysius parish, Cleveland. He was a 1962 graduate of St. Aloysius School, a 1966 graduate of St. Joseph High School, a 1970 graduate of Cleveland State University, and a 1977 graduate of Cleveland Marshall Law School. He worked his way through college and law school.
He met the love of his life, Diane Cuffman Ryder, in 1969 during the early days of the Reagan campaign. They were married in 1971 and moved from Euclid to Geauga County in 1979. He was a devoted husband, loving Dad to daughters Megan (Matt Snider) of Columbus and Kate (David Young) of Spartanburg SC, and beloved Papa to Bridget, Clare, Norah, Jack, and Luke.
He was a founding partner in the Solon law firm of Mazanec, Raskin, and Ryder, LPA, where he worked as a trial attorney from 1984-2014. He was the youngest member of the Ohio Legislature from 1971 to 1972, and spent much of his lifetime volunteering in many campaigns and serving in local government, including Newbury Township Trustee.
He served as chairman of the Geauga County (Ohio) Republican Party, and served on the Geauga County Board of Elections for several years. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2012. He devoted his life to the service of others and the promotion of good government.
He was an avid golfer, traveler, hunter, and fisherman who enjoyed adventures with friends and family. His favorite trip was to Europe for a tour “In the Footsteps of Patton,” which he enjoyed with wife Diane and friends and travel buddies Dale and Nancy Fellows.
He was a devoted Ohio State Buckeyes fan and wore red and grey whenever he could.
Besides his loving wife, daughters, and grandchildren, he is survived by a sister, Joann Varga of Strongsville, Ohio, brother-in-law Gary Cuffman (wife, Pattie) of Willoughby, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews. He was a devoted friend to many, especially Frank Thomas, Bob Huefner, and Bob McGee, since grade school and high school days.
He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Spartanburg, where he was active in the men’s prayer group and Emmaus. He was a devoted follower of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 11 am at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury, with Fr. Jay McPhillips officiating. Following the Mass there will be a Celebration of Life Eulogy Service at 1 PM followed by Reception at DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION CENTER, 12811 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland until 4 PM. Please come with memories to share. Interment will be private and held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ed’s memory to St. Paul the Apostle School, 152 Alabama St., Spartanburg SC 29302 or St. Helen’s School, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury OH 44065.
Arrangements by DeJohn Funeral Home and Celebration Center of Chesterland
Psalm 34:8: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
He was born May 4, 1948 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Edward M. Ryder, Sr., and Elizabeth Freeman Ryder. He lived in Ohio until moving to SC in 2022. He grew up in the St. Aloysius parish, Cleveland. He was a 1962 graduate of St. Aloysius School, a 1966 graduate of St. Joseph High School, a 1970 graduate of Cleveland State University, and a 1977 graduate of Cleveland Marshall Law School. He worked his way through college and law school.
He met the love of his life, Diane Cuffman Ryder, in 1969 during the early days of the Reagan campaign. They were married in 1971 and moved from Euclid to Geauga County in 1979. He was a devoted husband, loving Dad to daughters Megan (Matt Snider) of Columbus and Kate (David Young) of Spartanburg SC, and beloved Papa to Bridget, Clare, Norah, Jack, and Luke.
He was a founding partner in the Solon law firm of Mazanec, Raskin, and Ryder, LPA, where he worked as a trial attorney from 1984-2014. He was the youngest member of the Ohio Legislature from 1971 to 1972, and spent much of his lifetime volunteering in many campaigns and serving in local government, including Newbury Township Trustee.
He served as chairman of the Geauga County (Ohio) Republican Party, and served on the Geauga County Board of Elections for several years. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2012. He devoted his life to the service of others and the promotion of good government.
He was an avid golfer, traveler, hunter, and fisherman who enjoyed adventures with friends and family. His favorite trip was to Europe for a tour “In the Footsteps of Patton,” which he enjoyed with wife Diane and friends and travel buddies Dale and Nancy Fellows.
He was a devoted Ohio State Buckeyes fan and wore red and grey whenever he could.
Besides his loving wife, daughters, and grandchildren, he is survived by a sister, Joann Varga of Strongsville, Ohio, brother-in-law Gary Cuffman (wife, Pattie) of Willoughby, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews. He was a devoted friend to many, especially Frank Thomas, Bob Huefner, and Bob McGee, since grade school and high school days.
He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Spartanburg, where he was active in the men’s prayer group and Emmaus. He was a devoted follower of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 11 am at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury, with Fr. Jay McPhillips officiating. Following the Mass there will be a Celebration of Life Eulogy Service at 1 PM followed by Reception at DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION CENTER, 12811 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland until 4 PM. Please come with memories to share. Interment will be private and held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ed’s memory to St. Paul the Apostle School, 152 Alabama St., Spartanburg SC 29302 or St. Helen’s School, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury OH 44065.
Arrangements by DeJohn Funeral Home and Celebration Center of Chesterland
Psalm 34:8: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
People and places connected with Edward
Memories and Condolences
for Edward Ryder
Make a Donation
in Edward Ryder's name
How to support Edward's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Edward Ryder's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
