Obituary of Howard Runyon

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Ann Runyon of West Burlington; five sons, Donald (Delena) Runyon of Monticello, Barry (Chris) Runyon of West Des Moines, Jeffery (Judy) Runyon of Wycondia, Minnesota, Allen Bruhl of Texas and Darrin (Julie) Bruhl of West Burlington; one daughter, Paula (Bob) Gustafson of Burlington; 15 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and two brothers, Gene (Bucky) Runyon of Burlington and Ben (Rhoda) Runyon of East Moline, Illinois. His parents and one brother, Harold Runyon, preceded him in death. Howard was a Korean War Army veteran serving as a corporal in the Task Division. "Porky" was very active in fast pitch softball since age 15. He was actively involved in softball until leaving for the Army at age 18 and then later coached minor and little league baseball while his children were growing up. He also pitched for the Champion Spark Plug and won the championship six out of seven years. He pitched for Oquawka and Lomax and won a championship with the Mt. Pleasant Merchants two years in a row. He coached girls' softball and fast pitch women's league, winning yet another championship. Later he helped boys and girls with sports programs and softball. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and collected sports memorabilia. Howard L. "Porky" Runyon, 76, of West Burlington died at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, March 29, 2009 at Great River Medical Center. Born March 23, 1933 in Iowa City, he was the son of Edward Ern and Minnie May Nichols Runyon. On June 29, 1971 he married Shirley Ann Maddox Bruhl in Oquawka, Illinois.