James Louis Ryman

February 20, 1929 - July 26, 2019

James Louis Ryman was born in Elkhart County in 1929. After living a rich full life, he died July 26 at age 90. He joins his wife Mary Ann (Stemen) Ryman who passed away in 2012. He leaves behind his five children, Naomi, Rebecca Fitch, Timothy (Chris), Joel (Cynthia), Jeremy (Diane), 10 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Jim grew up in the Goshen, Middlebury, and Jefferson areas. He played basketball, enjoyed art work and took care of the family farm. When it came to to serve, he did his 1W Service at Westville State Mental Hospital. On weekends he drove home to visit his sweetheart, Mary Ann Stemen, and complete the building of their new home. After their marriage, they started their family. Jim began his life long career designing and building houses. Once a month Jim and Mary Ann loaded up their 5 children, along with sloppy joes, and baked beans as the evening meal for those residing at Faith Mission. Jim and Mary Ann were good partners. She would visualize and Jim would build her dreams. He custom built houses throughout Elkhart county during his career, even restoring a log house for his family to live in . Later in life he built a lake home in Pentwater, Michigan where he could have his sailboat and dream of all the places he could go. Jim leaves behind a legacy of a constant sense of humor, 65 years of volunteering at the Faith Mission, deep faith in God, building with quality and creating homemade fun for his family. He is preceded in death by his sisters June Kulp, Betty Leibo, and brother Glen Ryman (Janet) and parents Robert and Edna Ryman. Celebration of Jim's life will be held at Little Pine Church of the Brethren, Friday August 2, at 11:00 am. Visitation will be at Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret Funeral Home, Goshen on Thursday August 1 from 5-7 pm. Memorials can be sent to Faith Mission of Elkhart.