A Selfless Soul

On Sunday, March 2nd, 2025, Kathy Jo Ryan (Nevius), 62 years young of Mount Vernon, IL., ascended above life receiving her eternal design; leaving behind her earthly canvases, to embark her grandest journey of painting the skies.

Arrangements: The family held a Celebration of Life and balloon release in her honor at the Veterans Memorial Park in Mount Vernon, IL, Saturday, March 8th, 2025. The family encourages those who loved and knew her to pay their respects however they feel fit. Those who had known her would know that she was a down to earth woman who loved her family, simplicity in life, and Art. She accepted people exactly as they were. Due to the financial hardship left up to her family, they have not been able to determine whether there will be a formal viewing or funeral. *See below for more information regarding family efforts

Proceeded by: Kathy was reunited in open arms with love and accompanied to eternity by all the family and friends whom she long adored and lost before her. Both Paternal & Maternal grandparents: Curtis S. McCune, Margret I. McCune (Isaacson), Delbert Nevius, Ruth E. Nevius (Laird). Parents: Father Eddie J. Nevius, and loving Mother Madeline E. Nevius (McCune), “Sister” and brother-in-law, Louise Sinclair, and Walter Sinclair, Brothers Howard Nevius, and Carl Nevius, son Michael A. Dix, Grandchildren Elijah Dix, and Logan Dix, and many, many friends.

Survived by: Kathy left behind her grieving, close family, bonus family, and many friends whom she loved in an instant, ensuring they were loved and wanted: Her soulmate/husband: John E. Ellis. Daughters: Terrie J. Dix of Mt. Vernon, IL., Amanda Meeker of Mt Vernon IL., Jennifer Adcock and her life partner Harley Lewallen of Illinois. Sons: Joey White of Summersville, IL., Jason Fairchild of Mt. Vernon IL., Brother: Charles Nevius. Grandchildren: Kirstian N. Russell “Kirsh”, Monica R. F. Ryan & life partner Garrett Shook of Mt. Vernon IL., Zoe Davis of Mt. Vernon, IL., Reginae D. Johnson, Shelonda J. Johnson, and Reginald D, Johnson “Trae” III, of Cairo, IL., Gabriel M. Dix, Preston Robb, and Elizabeth Robb of Galesburg, IL., Chalin White of Mt. Vernon, IL., Kadin “Von” Knowles of Mt. Vernon, IL., Tristan Bucknell of Illinois, Collin Ingram of Illinois. Great Grandchildren: Avilly K. Nesbitt, Kholtian L. Carpenter, Anesti Rae Williams, Amayli J. Marvell, and Kaydince N. Knowles, Isaac D. M. Ryan, Hope J. J. Glover, Maggie Lewallen, and others. Friends: Jerry Fleming of Mt. Vernon, IL., Ragu Gardet of Mt. Vernon, IL., Brian Russell and wife Alisha Russell., of Illinois, Reginald Johnson and paramour of Mt. Vernon, IL., Shelonda Johnson of Cairo Illinois.

Kathy had an amazingly resourceful talent in crafting and was an awesome skill expanding artist who passed her artistic traits down to her kids and grandchildren. Kathy seen the beauty in things that others may only get a glimpse of. Most of her artwork and crafts were made from recycled, or natural materials that were impressive to the person receiving it, and the planet. Kathy had a sense of humor and loved animals nearly as much as she loved and talked about her grandbabies. In her early life she worked for Henderson Trucking as a diesel mechanic, and a semi-truck driver for 20+ years. Kathy visited every state in the U.S. and some of the surrounding countries, more than once. She would always have a good story to tell about many of the places she visited and seen. Kathy was a proud provider and caregiver, she selflessly withdrew from her good paying careers in the trucking industry for her family. She became the guardian and caregiver to her grandchildren who looked up to and loved her, she took them in when they needed her most and she cherished them. She began work for the Holiday Inn, as a housekeeper, to provide for her family barely scraping by, yet fueled herself with positivity when things got hard saying her famouseline, “We’ll make it/We’ll find a way, we always do.” She worked at Holiday Inn for 9+ years and lived below her means but still always found a way. She never let anyone want, or need for anything and selflessly gave what she could, which would be her last majority of times. Eventually, she found a better opportunity as an Environmental Service Worker at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital (formerly known as “Good Samaritan Hospital,”) she worked there for 11+ years, through the construction of the newest facility. She made crafts and painted for people as a small side gig, never making enough money but instead enjoying the time she spent with her grandchildren after work, teaching, learning, and loving the art that they’d make for others. She taught her babies to be humble, to have faith, and not hate. She taught how to forgive when it was hard, and how to laugh when you are mad. She made the most out of every aspect of life and carried that with her to lend out to others along the way. Kathy was a woman who meant what she said and said what she meant. She was a sensible, tough, and caring woman. She wouldn’t let anyone feel insignificant because when she called you family then she meant that. Her treatment and love would be no different than the love given to the ones who inherited her biologic traits. She pushed everyone around her to love themselves, and to accept themselves for who they were. She treated you the same no matter what clothes you wore, who you loved, what mistakes you made, or the color of your skin. Kathy made sure that everyone who meant anything to her knew that she loved them the day before her unexpected, untimely, and tragic passing as she lived by the phrase, “Don’t forget to say I love you because tomorrow isn’t promised.” Kathy deserved more than what life had given her, the world has truly taken a significant loss, but she will be forever loved.

#ForeverLovedKathyRyan

          *The family has created a fundraiser for donations on several platforms including GoFundMe, Cashapp, Venmo, etc., to carry out the wishes of their loved one, and honor her by fulfilling her final request when put to rest.

          “My granny’s wish was to be cremated, but she would have wanted her family, friends, and bonus family to be able to pay respects and to say their final goodbyes. We’ll take everything we can get, we are trying our hardest, the donations will be going toward her funeral expenses to [hopefully] have a private viewing. The fundraiser is currently still open, and donations are being accepted, until we receive enough to cover the costs my precious granny deserves. She didn’t deserve what she dealt with in life, so I am hoping I can send her off with more than she could want saying goodbye. We are so thankful, humbled, and blessed for the outpouring amount of support we have already received toward the cost to lay my granny to rest. It does not and will not go unnoticed. I truly believe you will be rewarded in the end, God will give you a bigger, better blessing in return. My grandma would be so happy, and shocked, to see that there are people who loved her not only in life, but who supported her even in the end. She was such an amazing woman. She deserved the world, and more. She gave me the best life I could’ve had, the least I can do is honor her in the end. Please remember, if you are not able to donate, you can still contribute without giving money! Please share the GoFundMe “A Tribue to Kathy Ryan: A Selfless Soul” on all your social platforms. I am hoping doing that will help us to reach our goals, I know that God has us. God bless and love you all. And thank you so, so very much.    My cashapp name is: $itsfcknkirsh My Venmo is: krusse011      

 Thank you all,

 Kirsh Nicole (Kirstian)” 

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