John Archie Runyon
John Archie Runyon, age 93, of LaBelle, MO, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2014, in LaBelle Manor Care Center in LaBelle, MO.
Born September 11, 1921, in Leonard, Missouri, John was the son of Homer John and Edna Hall Runyon.
John Archie Runyon united in marriage with Anna Lee Morrow on June 7, 1942, in LaBelle, MO and she preceded him in death on March 14, 2009. Of this union, the couple was blessed with a daughter, Linda.
John was also preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Bell Runyon, Fern Holbert, Willa Dee Florea and Verneta Holbert, and one brother, Wendell Runyon.
Surviving are one daughter, Linda (Chuck) Florea of Durham, MO; two grandchildren, Jeremy (Stacy) Florea and Heather (John) Grawe; and four great grandchildren, Ethan and Shane Clary, Autumn and his namesake, Hunter John Florea, as well as, several nieces and nephews.
John served his country in the United States Army, during World War II in Africa and Italy, where he learned his life-long profession of mechanic. He worked for Hamilton Motors in LaBelle, Cornelius Implement in Edina, ran the MFA Service Station in LaBelle along with his brother Wendell, before buying his own garage in LaBelle, which he ran many years, before retiring.
John and Annie were avid campers and loved sharing their camping adventures with their daughter, her children and grandchildren for many years.
John retired from the LaBelle Fire Department, as Battalion Chief, after 45 years of service. He was a member of the LaBelle American Legion Post and the LaBelle Christian Church.
Funeral services were held Thursday, December 18, 2014, in the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle, MO. Pastor Charles Sharpe was officiant of the services. Burial with full military honors was held in the LaBelle Cemetery.
Casket bearers were Gene Holbert, Ricky Florea, Sam Wilson, Greg Doscher, Donnie Zahn and Cecil Morrow.
Memorials may be made to the Missouri Bulldogs Baseball Team in Ewing, MO and or Knox County 18U Summer Baseball. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Coder Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 151, LaBelle, MO 63447.
