Obituary of Gene William Runyon

Gene William Runyon, 84, of Tyro, KS passed away Friday, February 17, 2017 at Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, OK. Gene was born on August 20, 1932 in Parsons, KS to Kelso Veon and Mattie Louisa (Spraggins) Runyon. The family moved to Coffeyville where Gene attended school and graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1950. On October 28, 1961, he married Martha Ann Ferguson in Coffeyville, They were married for 55 years. Following their marriage they made their home and resided on Penn Street in Coffeyville for 32 years. From that union, they adopted their only child, Carol Annette in December 1970. Gene worked in Coffeyville all his life; first at Continental Can, Swift Construction., he owned his own dump truck business and from there he went to work at Funk Manufacturing, that later was bought by John Deere, retiring in 1994 after 21 years and only missing ½ of work to attend a brother-in-law's funeral. Upon his retirement, he and his wife supported their daughter Carol and volunteered their time at her store, Kidz Kloset in Caney, KS. Gene was a great man with many talents. He was a member of the First Church of God in Coffeyville. Throughout his lifetime, he enjoyed spending time with his wife, daughter, grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. His enjoyments also included trips to Branson, watching Nascar races on TV, playing cards, antique cars and being a member of SEK Old Cars Club. Survivors include his wife Martha, of the home, his daughter Carol Conley and husband Stephen of Coffeyville, 3 grandchildren, Nicholas Eytcheson and wife Rachel of Caney, KS, Seth Eytcheson and Noah Eytcheson, both of Coffeyville, and 2 great-grandchildren, Alexiah and Madi, daughters of Nicholas and Rachel. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kelso and Mattie, 3 brothers, Charles, Marvin and Paul Runyon and on sister, Margie Robison. A Memorial Service celebrating Gene's life will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 23, 2017, at the Fairview Cemetery Veterans Memorial Patio with Pastor Mark Wilson of the First Church of God officiating. Inurnment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park. Family and friends may sign the book Wednesday, February 22, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at David W. Barnes Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial to the Skilled Unit at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center; contributions may be left at the funeral home or mailed in c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.