Howard Runft

Personal and Family Information

Howard was born on 10 DEC 1933 in Herington, Dickinson County, Kansas, the son of Leland D. Runft and Geneva M. Stewart.

He died on 28 JAN 2016. The place is not known.^{[Note 2]}

His wife was Clair Ameda Hyde, who he married on 12 DEC 1953. The place has not been found. Their three known children were Glenda Rae (Private) (1956-?), Roylynn (Private) (1959-?) and Roger LeRoy (Private) (1961-?).

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)

Events

Notes

Note 1

!Notes:In 2003

Howard & Claire Runft

1827 W. Dallas

Wichita, Ks. 67217

# 316-265-3414

!Obituary: Published in The Wichita Eagle on Jan. 31, 2016. Runft, L. Howard Age 82, passed away from this wonderful world to the wondrous world of our Lord on Kansas Day, January 29, 2016. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 10, 1933, the only child of Leland D. and Geneva M. [Stewart] Runft. He told many joyous stories of growing up in Herington. It was during his senior year at Herington High School that he met his sweetheart and love of his life, Claire Hyde. She had just moved from Marion, KS. They graduated from Herington High School in 1952. They were married December 12, 1953, and recently celebrated 62 years of marriage. After attending college initially, he put his education on hold to enlist. He was very proud to have served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. Claire followed him to California, and they established their home there until he concluded his service. He spent 1.5 years overseas and finished serving at Camp Pendleton. Upon returning to Kansas, they lived in Hays. Howard completed his education, graduating from Fort Hays State University with a teaching degree, where he is a dedicated alumnus. He began his teaching career as an Industrial Arts teacher and coach in Bucklin, KS and later taught for the Wichita Public Schools, starting at South High School in 1964 and later at West High. While teaching, he continued his education obtaining a Master's degree and an Administrative Certificate. His last position in USD 259 was the evening Principal at the Wichita Area Vocational Technical College. He retired in 1993. He treasured the professional friendships he developed. Through the years, he taught automotive mechanics, metals shop, wood working, and driver's ed. He also coached football; not only for the public school but for little league. For many years, he traveled the state of Kansas and numerous other states, developing and implementing curriculum. He felt very strongly that students could learn best by using/developing skills with their hands. He was so talented and skillful with his own hands. He made furniture; could listen to any car and tell you what was wrong with it and how to fix it; used any kind of tool to fix small motors; planned for and built anything; fixed anything and everything for his five granddaughters; was very skilled at repairing toy trains, receiving and fixing trains from all over the country for others at his two workshops. He spent many years working on train layouts. He is a current member of First United Methodist Church in Wichita. He and Claire were members of Trinity UMC from 1964 to 2004, until it closed. Together, they served on every church committee/board and taught Sunday School. Friendships made at Trinity were very precious to Howard and Claire. He served as Chaplain of the Wichita Air Capital Detachment and the Department of Kansas Marine Corps League. He was a charter member of the Wichita Toy Train Club; founded in 1986. His lifelong love for railroads began in Herington, with the Rock Island Railroad. His father was an engineer. The Runft family has also enjoyed the love and support of the friends and neighbors on Dallas. These friendships are irreplaceable. The family also had the privilege of making summers fun. August of every year was spent in Colorado camping, hiking, fishing and hunting. Howard spent quality time with many family members involved with these activities. He was proud of his talents on the football field at Herington High School and Fort Hays. He participated in other sports as well. He enjoyed high school football, attending Wichita area games faithfully every Friday night. Howard had the talent of telling stories. There is not a person who knew him that cannot say they were entrenched by his stories. He loved one-liner jokes and euphemisms. He was a friend to all and a wonderful caregiver. He was talented, special, spiritual. Howard is survived by his wife, Claire, of the home; two daughters, Glenda Broadbent [husband, Craig] of Wichita, and Roylynn Runft-Vogel [husband, Ric] of Centennial, CO; son, Roger Runft [wife, Kimberly] of Wichita; five granddaughters, Jana Bowman [husband, Chad] of Lenexa, Courtney Runft of New York City, Jessie Eckert [husband, Darrell] of Copan, OK, Jeris Broadbent of Wichita, Corynn Vogel of Centennial, CO; and one great-grandson, Jack Bowman. The family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society with emphasis on Melanoma Research. They may be sent in care of the Zeiner Funeral Home, Herington Chapel, 404 S. Broadway, Herington, KS, 67449 or directly to 330 S. Main, Suite 100, Wichita, KS, 67202. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 1, at First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Military Committal will be 4 p.m. on Monday, at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Herington, KS. The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, January 31, at First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. Services are under direction of the Zeiner Funeral Home, Herington Chapel. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansas/obituary.aspx?n=l-howard-runft&pid=177529294#sthash.H9zUa7fO.NCrbJU09.dpuf

Note 2

11:57 PM