Gerald "Jerry" Ryan age 79 passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2013, at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison.

He was born December 5, 1933, the son of William and Mabel (Shackelton) Ryan. He was a member of the St Barnabas Catholic Church in Mazomanie. Jerry served in the U.S Army from 1954 to 1956, then engaged in farming with his brother William Jr. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 9511 in Mt Horeb. Jerry met Irene Hering and they married on June 30, 1984. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and enjoyed playing cards and lunch every Thursday with his family.

Jerry is survived by his step-sons, Robert (Kris) Hering of Cross Plains and William Hering of Black Earth; three step grandchildren, Matthew, Blake and Nicholas Hering; a sister, Beverly (Harland) Marten of Dodgeville; several nieces & nephews, cousins, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Irene, and siblings, Eileen Wachter, William Jr. and John.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BARNABAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 410 Cramer St., Mazomanie at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday December 5, 2013. Burial will be in St. James Catholic Cemetery, Vermont Township. A visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, 702 Emily Rd, Mazomanie, and from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. the day of service.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the Cross Plains EMS and the staff at the University of Wisconsin Hospital.