Obituary of Melvin Eugene Runyon

Melvin “Mel” Eugene Runyon, 82, passed away peacefully at Honor Health Deer Valley Hospital on Sunday, July 9, 2023.

Mel was born to Chester and Virginia (Schatterman) Runyon in Rock Island, Illinois on February 24, 1941. In January 1960, Mel graduated from Des Moines Technical High School and in June of that year, entered the U.S. Air Force, serving for five years, as an Electronics Countermeasures Repairman. He worked on the Boeing RB-47H Stratojets during the cold war and was stationed in Florida on standby during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

After his honorable discharge from the service in 1965, Mel went to Minnesota for training for his new position with the IBM Corporation. There he met his future wife Mary (Dahling), and they were married in 1966. In 1974, his son Lee was born. He continued at IBM for 30 years, having worked in Hardware, Distribution and as a Programmer. After his “retirement,” Mel went back to his same job at IBM, working as a contractor for six more years. Additionally, after moving to Arizona in February 2002, Mel spent several years as a Realtor.

Mel was always active and busy. He was a Boy Scout and Explorer Scout in his youth and became a Boy Scout leader as an adult. He volunteered at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church, as part of the A/V team until his death. He also repaired the church’s Carillon, which after years of silence, is now ringing every day.

Mel was predeceased by his parents, sister Virginia “Dixie” Williams, brothers Chester “Chet” and Raymond “Ray,” and parents-in-law Frederick “Fritz” and Adele (Ekblad) Dahling. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Mary, son Lee, daughter-in-law Robin Cohen, grandchildren Alexander “Alex” and Katherine “Kae,” brothers Joseph “Joe” and Richard “Rick” (wife Roxane), and sister-in-law Patricia (husband Chet) and Marcene (husband Ray)

Mel had a dry sense of humor and loved to tease his grandchildren and wear plaid shirts. He was an avid NASCAR fan and even participated in a NASCAR experience where he got to drive a racecar. He enjoyed fishing, and tinkering with anything he could get his hands on. If Mel couldn’t fix it, it could not be fixed..

Rest in Peace. Rise to Glory.