H. J. Runyon

Friday, May 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Elm Grove Baptist Church north of Vandalia.
Officiating will be: Pastor Shelby Job.
Music provided by: Karen Shaw - pianist; Hannah Runyon - soloist.
Interment will be in the Vandalia Cemetery with full military honors.
Pallbearers: F. J. Runyon, R. J. Runyon, Randy McDonald, Cole McDonald, Mason McDonald, Zach Rutter, D. J. Runyon and Marty Dempsey. Honorary pallbearers: Raymond Kirtlink, Malcolm Coose, Henry Watson, Jack Riechard, Leonard Runyon, Roger Runyon, Fred Coss and Gene Taylor.

H. J. Runyon passed away at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at the family's home in Vandalia. H. J. had farmed and worked in the maintenance department at Harbison Walker Refractories in Vandalia for a number of years. He was a devoted member of the Elm Grove Baptist Church near Vandalia. H. J. enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life. He was most proud of his 1989 trip in a homemade covered wagon around the circumference of the State of Missouri. H. J. was also the wagon master in the bicentennial wagon train trip in 1976 from Hannibal to Jefferson City, Missouri; he was also a fur trader and enjoyed horses. H. J. was an original member of the Tri-County Saddle Club and of the Pike County Coon Hunters Association.

Born: April 1, 1937 in Mexico, Missouri the son of Murley Joseph and Erma Adeline (Riechard) Runyon.

Married: Minnie Sue Schultz (mother of the three children) in Center, Missouri in 1960; he then married Arlene Frances Gerlach on March 14, 2001 in Mexico, Missouri.

Survivors include: wife, Arlene of Vandalia; two sons: F. J. and wife, Paula Runyon of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; R. J. and wife, Trish Runyon of Palmyra, Missouri; one daughter: Lola M. and husband, Randy McDonald of Center, Missouri; one step-son: Marty and wife, Lori Dempsey of Ponca City, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren: Stephanie Landers of Center; Hanna Runyon of Palmyra; Zach Rutter of Palmyra; Cole McDonald of Center; Mason McDonald of Center; Lydia McDonald of Center; Christina Runyon of Lake St. Louis and D. J. Runyon of Lake St. Louis; four step-grandchildren: Ryan Dempsey and Erin Dempsey both of Ponca City, Oklahoma; Keith Dempsey of Columbia, Missouri and Michael Dempsey of Wentzville, Missouri; one step-great-granddaughter: Keegan Dempsey of Wentzville.

Preceded in death by: parents and one step-son, Michael Dempsey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to the Curryville Christian School.