Born January 7, 1934 in Delavan to Orie and Clarissa (Bush) Runyon, he married Shirley Ann Hallar on June 24, 1962 in Pekin. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Kerry (Sidney Kittila) Runyon of Fort Myers and Sherry (Michael) Metelak of Washington; six grandchildren, Colin Metelak, Alyssa Metelak, Taylor Metelak, Kaiden Runyon, Elias Runyon and Skylynn Runyon and one brother, Gilbert Runyon of Pekin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Arthur Runyon and one sister, Mary Ann Runyon.
A United States Army veteran, Ken worked for Quaker Oats in Pekin for 39 years, retiring in 1996 as a buyer for mechanical shop tools.
Ken was a devoted husband, loved traveling, gardening, helping Shirley with canning, and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. In earlier years he coached basketball for the Salvation Army and the Pekin Union Mission.
He was a member of Fort Myers Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and formerly attended and was a member of Second Reformed Church in Pekin, where he had served as an Elder and Deacon. Ken enjoyed playing dart ball for 25 years in multiple leagues including Second Reformed Church.
His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Chuck Grogan will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Army and Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707 or Fort Myers Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 5916 Winkler Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919; disciplesfm.org
