Charles F. (Big Pop) Ryan age 90 of Chicora, Pennsylvania died at 3:11 a.m. April 19, 2016 in Sugar Creek Rest Home in Worthington, PA. He was born in Butler, PA. November 11, 1925 to the late: Francis Bernard Ryan and the late Mary Irene Angert Ryan.

A veteran of WW II he served his country proudly in the United States Army in the Normandy Invasion, also called Operation Overlord, during World War II, the Allied invasion of western Europe, which was launched on June 6, 1944 (the most celebrated D-Day of the war), with the simultaneous landing of U.S., British, and Canadian forces on five separate beachheads in Normandy, France. By the end of August 1944 all of northern France was liberated, and the invading forces reorganized for the drive into Germany, where they would eventually meet with Soviet forces advancing from the east to bring an end to the Nazi Reich.

He then was a foreman in the paint department in Pullman Standard of Butler for 28 years retiring in 1981. He then drove 'THE BUS' in Butler for several years. He was a member of the Chicora V.F.W. and Chicora American Legion. He was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in North Oakland, Chicora, PA.

He married Dorothy G. Young Ryan who died December 15, 2015.

He is survived by 5 daughters.

Darlene and Dennis Geibel of Chicora, Brenda and Brian Werner of Chicora and Florida, Marsha and Mark Sanders, of Grove City, Ohio. Lisa and Tim Wahler of Butler. Amy Spatig of Butler.

5 sons: Charles D. and Pearl Ryan of Chicora, Dennis and Rita Ryan of Fenelton, Bradley and Susan Ryan of Butler, Joe Dee and Tanya Ryan of Chicora, Todd and Julie Ryan of Butler.

23 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren

Sisters: Rosemary Wagner of Butler, Mary Jane and George Crawford of Florida.

Brothers: Donald Ryan of Fairview, Hugh Ryan of Sugar Creek Rest in Worthington, Regis and Mary Ryan of Nebraska.

In addition to his wife and parents he is preceded in death by a son Jeffrey Alan Ryan and brothers: Robert, James, Joseph, Arthur, and William Ryan.

Friends received at STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME at the corner of 111 E. Slippery Rock and Main Streets in the Heart of  Chicora, PA, 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 21, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, North Oakland, PA  with Father Rick Thompson, Pastor officiating. Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Full Military Honors will be provided by the Chicora V.F.W. and Chicora and Brady's Bend American Legion and the 99th Readiness Command from Coraopolis, PA