Charles W. Ryan

Charles W. Ryan, 71, Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin following a brief illness. He was born Jan. 7, 1938, in Montague, Texas, to Welbourne Jefferson Ryan and Donnie Mae Guilliams Ryan. He was first married to Tina Grant Ryan and she preceded him in death in 1991. He was later married to Sybil Hughes in August 1998 and she survives of the home.

Charles grew up in Montague, Texas, and graduated from Montague High School in 1956. He served in the United States Army for two years during the Korean Conflict as a tank driver. Charles had been a psychologist for 40 years. He came to Nevada in 1976 and worked at the Nevada State Hospital for a number of years as chief psychologist. He had worked for the past 10 years for Challenge and Change. Charles was a member of the American Psychological Association.

Survivors include his wife Sybil of the home; his children, Hope Shotts and her husband Roy, Jr., Nevada; Heather Cruwell, Tahlequah, Okla., John Cruwell, Tahlequah, Okla., and Halanna Cruwell and her fiance' Terry Thompson, Muskogee, Okla., and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Tina, and one son, Scott Ryan.

Visitation will be held on Aug. 22, from 6-8 p.m. at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. A private family committal service will be held on Monday, Aug. 24, at Osborne Memorial Cemetery in Joplin. Friends may call now and until 7 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Those who wish may contribute to the Vernon County People for Pets in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.