ANGOLA — Gerald Owen Runyan, 84, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2014.
Born on May 4, 1929, in Fort Wayne to the late Elmer A. and Mabel D. (Chaney) Runyan. In 1944, his family moved to Rome City. He had completed his freshman year at North Side High School. He completed his sophomore year at Rome City. In his junior year he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he completed his high school studies and was able to graduate with his class of 1948.
Gerald married his childhood sweetheart Delores M. Barrand of Fort Wayne on August 23, 1947, in Gerald's parent's front parlor in Rome City. They met when they were 8 and 9 years old at Klug Park in Fort Wayne. Gerald and Delores moved to Fort Wayne since he was employed by the Nickel Plate Railroad (later the Norfolk Southern Railroad).
In June 1966, the family moved to Southgate, Michigan, since Gerald was transferred to the Detroit area. He was foreman of the rip track (where they repaired the railroad cars) and later foreman of the tri-level dock, where they loaded automobiles on the rail cars. He retired in September of 1989 after 41 1/2 years of service.
Gerald was a 50 plus years member of the Huntertown F&AM # 689 and a Past Worthy Patron of Huntertown O.E.S. #388.
In November of 1989, Gerald and Delores moved to Lake Gage, Angola.
He enjoyed watching and feeding the birds, fishing and woodworking. In October of 2005 they moved into the city of Angola.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years Delores; a son and daughter-in-law, Jerry L. and Joan C. (Cochrane) of New Haven, Ind.; son-in-law, David Tibbs of Deford, Mich., a granddaughter, Michelle C. (Joseph A.) Verduce of Gaylord, Mich.; her grandsons, Jason A. (Summer) Runyan of Elkhart, Ind., Matthew L. (Jennifer) Runyan of Brownsburg, Ind., and Paul B. Thompson of Alabama; a sister, Beverly J. Schaefer of Churubusco, Ind.; and great-grandsons, Steven, Anthony (Tony), Jack Verduce of Gaylord, Mich., Jayse and Kyson Runyan of Elkhart, Ind., and Lucian and Victor Runyan of Brownsburg, Ind.
He was preceded in death by two daughters, Linda Sue Runyan age 20 in 1976 and Myra Kay Tibbs age 55 in 2006; and a sister and brother-in-law, Rose Marie and Junior Hoot of Fort Wayne.
Visitation will be Friday, February 14, 2014, at the H.E. Johnson & Sons Funeral Home in Angola from 3–7 p.m., with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Friday.
Services will be Saturday, February 15, 2014, at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 6600 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, in the Chapel at 11 a.m.
Memorials are to Visiting Nurses & Hospice Home of Fort Wayne or American Heart Association.
To leave condolences go to: www.hejohnson.fh
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Funeral services provided by:
H.E. Johnson & Sons Funeral Homes - Angola108 S. West Street, Angola, IN 46703
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more