Our Staff
ROBERT E. RYAN
President
Bob Ryan is a lifetime resident of the east side of Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from St. Charles Preparatory High School in 1969, received a degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1973, and a degree in Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1976. He is an active member of St. Catharine Church. He is also a former Member of St. Catharine School Board, co-founder with his wife of SPICE (Special People In Catholic Education), member of Central Ohio Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association, a Certified Public Accountant and member of the Ohio Society of CPA’s, Trustee and Treasurer of Mt. Carmel Health Foundation, member of Nazareth Towers Board of Trustees, member and Past Officer of the Notre Dame Alumni Club, an Eagle Scout, was awarded Catholic Man of the Year 2001, awarded Papal Night of St. Gregory, is a member of the Knights of Columbus, member of the Shamrock Club, Life Member of American Legion Buckeye Boys State and Boys Nation, member and Past President of the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club, former Member and Past President of Mohun HealthCare Center Board of Trustees, and a former Member of Diocesan Secondary School Finance Committee. He and his wife Mary Virginia (Mary Ginn) were married in 1975 and have 11 children and 13 grandchildren (and still counting).
ANDREW J. RYAN
Vice-President
Andy Ryan is a 4th Generation Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. One of the seven children of John & Betty Webb Ryan born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Upper Arlington High School, and received his BBA from Ohio University, as well as a Post Graduate Degree in Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He also is a licensed insurance agent to assist funeral advance planning. He always has been and remains passionate about serving those who have called upon his family's funeral service. He is an active member of St. Andrew Parish where he volunteers as a Eucharistic Minister and served as President of the Parish Council, a former Senior football parent representative to the Bishop Watterson Athletic Assoc. as well as a member of the Shamrock Club, AOH, Knights of Columbus, Ohio University Alumni Assoc. and past board member Central Ohio Funeral Directors Assoc. Other passions alongside the family business is his family which includes his wife of over 30 years, Khristy and their two children, Meaghan and Matthew.
KEVIN M. RYAN
Director
Kevin Michael Ryan, began his Funeral Director career with Egan-Ryan in 2008. Kevin graduated from St. Charles Preparatory School in 1995, received his Bachelors Degree from Miami University in 1999, his Masters in Business Administration from Capital University in 2002 and a Degree in Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2008. Kevin is an active member of St. Catharine Parish, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Shamrock Club, The Athletic Club of Columbus and is an Eagle Scout. He serves on the Board of the Mount Carmel Foundation and Back In His Arms Again. He is active in the S.P.I.C.E Program (Special People in Catholic Education) at St. Catharine School. Kevin enjoys coaching his children in their various sports through St. Catharine School and Bexley Recreation. Kevin and his wife, Gini, were married in 2008 and have three children Madeleine, Thomas, and Finnegan.
VICTOR FLOWER
Director
Victor Flower has been with Egan-Ryan since 1988 as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Victor is originally from Kenton, Ohio where he met his wife, Loraine. He and Loraine have been married since 1980 and have two children, Jordan and Emily. Victor is a guitar and chess enthusiast, and an avid reader. Victor is a member of Vineyard Church of Columbus and vice-chair of the Mideast Area Commission.
CRAIG SCHWINNEN
Director
Craig Schwinnen has been with Egan-Ryan since 2001 as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He previously worked for McComb and Sons Funeral Home in Fort Wayne, Indiana for 4 years. Craig is originally from Delphos, Ohio where he met his wife Traci. They have been married since 1998 and have two children Tori and Dominic. Craig is a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Powell, Ohio.
MATTHEW S. ENGLE
Director
Matt has been a licensed director and embalmer for over 30 years. Born and raised into a funeral family in Tiffin, Ohio, he began his career with a small funeral home in northwest Ohio, before spending eighteen years in sales with Batesville and Aurora Casket Companies. He attended The Ohio State University and is a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Matt has a long-standing commitment to the funeral industry enabling him to serve families with care and professionalism. He is also licensed with the State of Ohio to fund prepaid funeral contracts and operate a crematory. He married his wife, Susan (Siebert) in 1985 and together they have three adult children, Turner, Carson and Riley. Spending time with his family, listening to music, seeking out antiques and treasures, and collecting pre-war baseball cards are a few of his interests. Matt serves each family with the dedication characteristic of the original funeral home founders, taking a deep personal interest in each family.
BRUCE L. BERNHEIMER
Prearrangement Coordinator
Bruce Bernheimer is our Prearrangement Coordinator and has been associated with Egan-Ryan since 1992. Bruce is originally from Philadelphia Pennsylvania where he attended the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. Bruce worked for Fidelity Bank in the Corporate Trust Division for 15 years before coming to Columbus in 1987 with Bank One. Bruce and his wife Lueanne were married in 1987 and have two children, Richard and Bethany. Bruce is a member of Central Baptist Church in Columbus.
ROSEMARY LOOMIS O. P.
After Care Coordinator
Rosemary Loomis O. P. is a Columbus native. She is a Dominican Sister of Peace and has been with Egan-Ryan since 1998 as our After Care Coordinator. Rosemary has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University and is a certified Bereavement Specialist. She is a member of the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved and Parents of Murdered Children and Homicide Victims Survivors.
JAN HINCH
Office Manager
Jan Hinch is our office manager and has been with Egan-Ryan since 1990. Jan is originally from Pittsburgh, PA where she met her husband Karl. She and Karl have been married since 1985. Karl works for DSCC. Jan's hobbies are gardening and she has been a volunteer with pet rescue and home placement, and Jan is a Dominican Associate.
DALE MCILHARGIE
DALE MCILHARGIE
Dale McIlhargie has been with Egan-Ryan since 2007. Dale serves in many support capacities for the funeral home. Dale, a veteran of the Army, retired from Lucent Technologies-Bell Laboratories. His background, experience and talents include electrical and mechanical engineering, business administration, facilities management, and automotive maintenance. Dale is a member of Pickerington Nazarene Church. He and his wife Sue Ann were married in 1972 and have one son Jonathan and three grandchildren.
RALPH J. KOWNACKI
January 30, 1942 ~ May 15, 2020
Ralph J. Kownacki passed away surrounded by family on Friday, May 15, 2020. Ralph had been a funeral director with Egan-Ryan since 2000. Ralph received a Bachelor Degree from Loyola University, Chicago, Graduate School DePaul University, Chicago, and received a degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Ralph was a retired Major of the U.S. Army Reserves, he served in Vietnam with the First Infantry Division and was a Bronze Star recipient. He participated in Kairos Prison Ministry, and the Worthington Inter-Faith Prayer Group. Ralph was an active member of St. Joan of Arc Parish. Ralph is survived by his wife Raenita and six children.