Leroy M. Runer, 88, Erie, passed away Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul.
He was born Sept. 4, 1925, in Iola to Cecil Runer and Zula Long Runer Scoville. He attended Iola Schools and graduated with the class of 1944.
While in high school, Leroy started working for MKT Railroad on a bridge gang. Later he became a clerk for MKT Railroad. He also worked for Beech Aircraft, Boeing Aircraft, and Hines Grain Elevator. Leroy retired from Foremost Foods March 31, 1985.
Leroy loved to travel. At a young age he hitchhiked across the United States and followed the wheat harvest. Leroy and his wife took a vacation every year with some of their fondest trips being to Mexico, Colorado, North Carolina, Yellowstone Park, and the Ozarks. His hobbies included fishing and watching television.
Leroy and Billie Walker were married Sept. 23, 1950, in Iola. She survives of the home. This past September they celebrated their 63rd anniversary. In addition to his wife, Billie, he is survived by a daughter, Brenda Harding, Erie, and a son, Herbert and his wife Sherry, Chanute. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Autumn Walters and husband Kurt, Heath Harding and wife Jennifer, Amber Vail and husband Kevin, all of Erie, and Andy Runer, Hiawatha; eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren, and his Chihuahua “Tiny.”
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Sergeant Major Herbert R. Runer; and twin great-grandsons Gabriel Lee and Gavin John Runer. A graveside memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at East Hill Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to either First Baptist Church of Erie or the Erie Public Library. They may be mailed to Bath Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762.
Leroy Runer
