Dewight Eugene Runyon, 81, of Tekonsha, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 4, 2023 at the First Baptist Church, 914 N. Main Street, Tekonsha, MI 49092. Pastor Brian Perry will be officiating. Cremation will follow the service, with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Tekonsha at a later date. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, August 3, 2023, and prior to the funeral, from 12:00-1:00 PM on Friday, August 4, 2023 at the First Baptist Church.
Dewight was born July 14, 1942 in Noble County, Indiana to Thomas and Mary (Leitch) Runyon. After graduating in 1960 from Churubusco High School in Whitley County, IN, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Purdue University, and a master’s degree in School Administration at Michigan State University. On September 16, 1966, Dewight married Wanda Schaper at Zion Lutheran Church in Woodburn, IN. The couple made their home in Tekonsha, MI, where Dewight had been hired as a teacher. It is here, for the next 56 years, that Dewight and Wanda would make their home raising their two boys. Dewight taught for Tekonsha Community Schools, primarily middle school, from 1965-1998. While a teacher at the school, he was also a substitute school bus driver, a Hunter Safety instructor, a night school teacher, and an announcer at football games. After retiring from teaching, he worked for another decade as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.
Dewight was a man of many interests. He enjoyed many outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, gardening, and farming. He loved spending time with his family, and with the many friends he made throughout the years. He was especially proud of his 1959 Corvette, that he often drove in Tekonsha parades. Dewight’s friendly, outgoing personality, and sense of humor, put people at ease and made them feel welcome. In the classroom, he was a positive influence on multiple generations of Tekonsha students.
Dewight is survived by Wanda, his wife of 56 years; his son, Dr. Bradley (Vickie) Runyon, O.D. of Tekonsha; grandchildren, Margaret, Sarah, Brent and Chloe; a sister, Marilyn Gordon of South Bend, IN; and a sister-in-law, Nona Brueck of Fort Wayne, IN. He was preceded in death by his son, Brent Runyon, his parents (Thomas and Mary) and brother-in-law Stephen Gordon.
Family requests that memorial donations be given to Gift of Life Michigan, 3861 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.
Comments