A funeral Mass for Deacon Charles Ryder will be celebrated Monday, June 30, at Assumption Church in Mattese. Deacon Ryder died June 12. He was 71.
Deacon Ryder was ordained to the permanent diaconate by then-Archbishop Justin F. Rigali on June 9, 2001, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. He was first assigned to and assisted the pastor at St. Catherine Laboure Parish in Sappington. In 2005, Deacon Ryder was assigned to St. John Parish in Imperial. In 2015, he was assigned to Assumption Parish in Mattese, where he served until his retirement in 2022. He served his parishes by presiding at baptisms, funeral services, weddings and making Communion calls to the homebound. He also served in pastoral care at Unity (St. John Mercy) Hospice and Mercy Medical Center.
In his professional career, Deacon Ryder worked as an insurance claims specialist for 24 years, followed by his chaplaincy work until his retirement in 2022.
Deacon Ryder is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters, Bridget and Brianne; and six grandchildren.
