Roy Runyan

Roy Vernon Runyan was born on December 8, 1919, to Jay and Frankie (Thackler) Runyan in Pisgah Iowa. He was raised in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. He attended Allen Creek Country School in Iowa. Roy was drafted into the US Army during WWII and served in the 101st Airborne. Roy married Hildagard Martha Melches in Germany. After his honorable discharge and a short stint of working in Germany, he farmed between Woodbine and Logan. He also took some agriculture related classes. He later lived in Minnesota and the Smithland, Iowa area. Roy married Retta Smith, and the couple lived in Smithland, Iowa. Retta died May 5, 1995.

Roy was a member of the Climbing Hill Lutheran Church. He was a very handy man and a good carpenter. Roy loved farming and the outdoors.

Roy died Thursday, September 9, 2010, at the Cherokee Regional Hospital in Cherokee, Iowa at the age of 90 years, nine months and one day.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Hildagard; second wife, Retta; two grandchildren, Gay Ellison and Cole Runyan; brother, Jay Alvin Runyan; and sister, Merrill Runyan. He is survived by his two daughters, Frankie and Gary Ellison of Dunlap, Iowa, Veronica and Kenneth Windle of Sioux City, Iowa; son, Roy Runyan, Jr. of Dunlap, Iowa; nine grandchildren, 11 great grand-children; three sisters, Mary Ann Matteson of Harlan, Iowa; Eva Lou and Larry Meyers of Burlington, Iowa, Evelyn Hunsader of Prior Lake, Minnesota; sister-in-law, JoAnn Runyan of Omaha, Nebraska; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services
11:00 am Monday, September 13, 2010
Fouts Funeral Home
Woodbine, Iowa

Clergy
Reverend Bill Kanne

Musician
Mrs. Merrill McElwain

Selection
"The Old Rugged Cross"

Recorded Selection
"Daddy's Hands"

Pall Bearers
Scott Ellison ~ Brandon Ellison ~ Marty Ellison
Jamie Ellison ~ Travis Windle ~ John Windle

Military Graveside Rites
American Legion Weiss Post #143

Final Resting Place
Woodbine Cemetery
Woodbine, Iowa