Don Ryno

Don passed quietly surrounded by his loving family and was welcomed to his Heavenly Home by his wife, sisters, and parents on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids. He succumbed to a 2nd round of pneumonia following a short illness. Donald Kirk Ryno was born July 22, 1954, to Albert and Shirley (Townsend) Ryno, in Flint. He graduated from Flint Central High in 1972, and attended the Ohio Institute of Technology. He married Linda Rose Smith on July 30, 1977, and they celebrated 43 years of marriage before Linda’s passing on August 9, 2020. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Megan and Audrey. Don worked in sales and management for many years, particularly in the insurance industry, and enjoyed wearing bowties and neckties with crazy designs. He never met a stranger, and was always happy to talk with anyone. Don used these talents to support Relay for Life for several years. Don loved going to the movies; going to yard sales; puttering in the garage; taking the dogs for car rides; going to car shows, races, demolition derbies, and wrestling events with Audrey; and swapping stories with Uncle George. He enjoyed frequent road trips throughout the Great Lakes area to enjoy nature's beauty. He would go out of his way to help others, make others laugh with inappropriate jokes, and find the biggest and loudest cards to send to loved ones. When he lived in Cadillac, he enjoyed decorating for Halloween; one year he turned his home into a haunted house for his girls and their friends. Don was a big kid at heart and enjoyed keeping childhood alive by interacting with and making life fun for all the kids in his life, both family and friends. Don is survived by his beloved daughters Megan and Audrey; his sister Wendy (Ken) Smith; his brother Paul (Kae) Ryno; sisters-in-law Kathy McNitt, Vicki (Mike) Anderson, and Mary Clough; brothers-in-law Ron and Doug (Charlotte) Clough; many nieces and nephews, including special nephew Eric Root, who he loved like a son; special Uncle George and Aunt Marge (Luft) Ryno, and cousin Debbie Ryno; and his loving dogs, Dottie and George. Don was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sisters Penny Root Tripp and Tammy Lipar; brothers-in-law Gary Clough, Ned McNitt, and John Siems; and mother-in-law Velta (Knerr Clough) Smith. Per his wishes, Don’s body was cremated, and the family privately celebrated his life. Don’s family would like to express their appreciation to the nursing staff at the Meijer Heart Center for making his time in the hospital easier on the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the Susan Mast ALS Foundation, your local animal shelter, Relay for Life, or the International Rhino Foundation. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Don Ryno

July 22, 1954 - March 30, 2025