Funeral to be held Thursday in Kankakee for former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who died at age 91 last week

KANKAKEE, Ill. (WLS) — A funeral will be held Thursday for the late former Illinois Governor George Ryan. He died last Friday at the age of 91.

He will be remembered with memorial service in his hometown of Kankakee.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Ryan had recently been moved into hospice care before his death, former Illinois House Republican leader Jim Durkin said last Friday.

A visitation was held Tuesday at Schreffler Funeral Home – Kankakee Chapel, 1900 W. Court St. in Kankakee.

A memorial service will begin at noon Thursday at Asbury United Methodist Church, 196 S. Harrison in Kankakee.

READ MORE | Former Illinois Governor George Ryan dies at 91

During his time as governor from 1999 to 2003, the Republican made a significant decision to impose a moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois.

Ryan grew up in Kankakee, where he worked in the family pharmacy before beginning a 40-year career serving in state government.

Having transitioned from being the speaker of the Illinois House, he successfully campaigned for various statewide positions such as lieutenant governor and secretary of state before assuming the role of governor for a single term.

Although the former governor garnered global attention for pausing the state’s death penalty executions, his legacy was marred by a federal corruption conviction. Notably, during Ryan’s tenure as Illinois Secretary of State in 1994, a tragic incident occurred where a truck driver, who fraudulently obtained his commercial license, caused a devastating crash resulting in the deaths of six children.

READ MORE | Illinois officials react to death of embattled former Gov. George Ryan: ‘Able to bridge the gap’

His wife Lura Lynn passed away while he was in prison. He was released in 2013.

Ryan’s halting of the death penalty earned him considerations for a Noble Peace Prize.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Israeli diplomats Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim shot dead just days before engagement by pro-Palestine terrorist in Washington D.C.

Israeli diplomats brutally killed in Washington D.C. before planned engagement

A couple who was about to get engaged fell victim to a…
‘Welcome to the Party’: The Times Fox News' Peter Doocy Called Legacy Media’s Bluff on Biden Decline

“Fox News Reporter Peter Doocy Challenges Legacy Media on Biden’s Performance”

In a series of posts on Wednesday on X, the Fox News reporter…
Jeremy Renner makes astonishing claim about what happened when he 'died' after snowcat accident

Jeremy Renner shares incredible story about what happened when he ‘died’ in snowcat accident

Jeremy Renner made a shocking confession, revealing that he felt briefly upset…
Gunman kills Israeli embassy couple in Washington, following decades of embassy-targeted attacks

Attacker shoots and kills Israeli embassy couple in Washington after years of embassy-focused violence

An attack occurred on Wednesday at the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C.,…
Former New Orleans police chief criticizes sheriff's 'checkered past' after jailbreak

Ex-police chief from New Orleans highlights sheriff’s troubled history following escape from jail

Ronal Serpas, the former Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, has…
SNAP cuts in Trump's 'One Big, Beautiful Bill Act' on budget, taxes could drive up demand at Chicago-area food banks

Budget and Tax Cuts Proposed in Trump’s Legislation May Lead to Increased Demand at Chicago-Area Food Banks

CHICAGO (WLS) — The GOP mega-bill could have a big impact on…
Parents blast school board as boys investigated for complaining about trans student in locker room

Parents criticize school board after boys are investigated for raising concerns about transgender student in locker room

Furious parents expressed their anger at a Virginia county school board meeting…
Trump scores big win as his 'big beautiful bill' passes the House including trillions in tax cuts and $1K MAGA baby account

“Trump’s Historic Victory: House Passes ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ with Trillions in Tax Cuts and $1K MAGA Baby Account”

House Republicans have successfully passed Donald Trump’s multi-trillion-dollar ‘big beautiful’ tax bill in…
Restoration runaround complaints: 2 lawsuits accuse Matt Workman's Cleaning and Restoration of leaving homes with unfinished work

Lawsuits claim Matt Workman’s Cleaning and Restoration leaving houses in incomplete condition

CHICAGO (WLS) — If you’re a victim of a flood or a…
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests alleged Tren de Aragua gang members in deadly Gage Park house party mass shooting

Arrests of Alleged Tren de Aragua Gang Members by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Following Deadly Gage Park House Party Mass Shooting

CHICAGO (WLS) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested alleged shooters involved…
Washington doctor dies during Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike at age 74

A 74-year-old Washington doctor passes away while hiking across the Grand Canyon.

The National Park Service recently identified a hiker who died in the…
Memorial Day weekend 2026: Travelers set to pack Chicago roads, O'Hare and Midway airports

Anticipated Traffic in Chicago during Memorial Day Weekend 2026: Increased Travelers at O’Hare and Midway Airports

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Memorial Day travel rush is expected to start…