J. Blaine Runner

1928 - 2023

J. Blaine Runner peacefully passed away at his home in Sutherland on Sept. 9, 2023, at age 94. Blaine, the son of Clarence and Ida (Johnson) Runner, was born on Oct. 17, 1928, in Hershey, where he was raised. He participated in 4-H and after graduating from Hershey High School in 1946, he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After his schooling, Blaine entered the U.S. Army in 1952. Following his honorable discharge, Blaine returned home to the family farm and ranch. On June 12, 1955, he was united in marriage to Betty June McConnell at the Maria Lutheran Church in Hershey. Blaine was a lifelong rancher who raised Black Angus cattle for 70 years. He and Betty lived north of Hershey until 1962 when they moved to Mullen. They moved again in 1971, this time to a ranch 30 miles north of Ashby in Cherry County. After retiring, they settled in Sutherland where they attended the United Methodist Church. Blaine was a conscientious steward of the land. He was a board member of the NRD and helped several young families with the opportunity to get started in ranching. He loved to learn, especially about science, and learned to fly in 1945; airplanes were a lifelong passion. Blaine was also active in his community; he was president of a rural Cherry County School Board and taught Sunday school. He was preceded in death by his son, Jim Runner; parents, Clarence and Ida; sisters, Mary (George) Binger and Lorene (Lloyd "Slick") Huebner; sisters-in-law, Patricia Jones and Kay McConnell; grandson, Andrei Quick; and nephew, Clark McConnell. Blaine is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty; daughters, Bonnie (Clifford) Quick of Callaway and Ruth (Pat) Fleecs of Sutherland; grandchildren, Caleb (Cynthia) Quick, Jake (Katie) Fleecs and Collin (Breann Paul) Fleecs; great-grandchildren, Esther, Cora and Abigail Quick, Liam Paul-Fleecs and baby boy Fleecs due in November; his brother, Robert (Jane) Runner of Ashby; brothers-in-law, Jim Jones of Eddyville and Bruce McConnell of Arnold; many nieces and nephews, including Doug Runner and Jennifer Hayes; and other family. Memorials are suggested to the Sutherland Methodist Church or the donor's choice. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Service is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the United Methodist Church, Sutherland, with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating. Burial follows at O'Fallon's Riverside Cemetery. Visitation is from 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday before service. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.