John Richard Rundle died in the presence of his wife, children and other family at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. at Wichita’s St. Francis Hospital, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice at the age of 65.
John was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Sylvia Rundle and his mother-in-law Charlotte Patt.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years Carolyn, originally of East Rochester, NY. They met in graduate school and were married in Lawrence, KS, on December 28, 1973. He was outlived by all of his descendants: Seth (Cheryl) Rundle of Wichita (and their children John “Jack”, Julia, Rebecca, and Ambrose), Elizabeth of Florissant, CO, and Rachel (Steven) Bartkoski of Mission, KS (and their son Bruce).
John is survived by his step-mother Rachel Rundle of Logan, KS, siblings Tim (Noreen) Rundle, of Washington, KS, Michael of Lawrence, KS, Shirley (Rick) Mendoza of Phillipsburg, KS, Kathleen (Gary) Brewster of Kansas City, KS, David Rundle of Wichita, Leland (Christina) Rundle of Logan, KS, and James (Cindy) Rundle of McPherson, KS. John is also survived by his father-in-law Bruce Patt of East Rochester, NY, sister-in-law Susan (Russ) Lipp of Fairport, NY, and brother-in-law David (Patricia) Patt of Fairport. He is survived by many cousins, 18 nieces and nephews, and godchildren Megan (Kemper) Sullenger, Josh Van Zandt and Joe Rundle.
John was the firstborn of his farmer parents in Logan, KS, on July 6, 1948. He grew up a country boy who loved playing baseball; his position was first baseman. He graduated from Logan High School in 1966 and went on to earn undergraduate degrees from Colby Community College and Fort Hays State University, and a masters degree in education from Emporia State University. He retired from USD 259 in 2005 after a career of teaching to special education students.
John enjoyed photography, playing golf, reading, birding, and traveling, hiking, and camping with family and friends. He loved to pass time sharing a new discovery or an old story with family, friend, or stranger and never lacked for conversation starters. He will be remembered for his kindness, ability to make everyone feel important, sharp wit, perfect grammar, and loving laughter. His death followed a stroke on January 8, 2014, caused by an unsuspected cancer. As is not uncommon, his death ended many plans, near and distant. But before he died, he received the final sacraments of the Church and was visited by all of his brothers and sisters, extended family, and many of his closest new and old friends, including his high school shortstop.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on Wednesday, February 5th at 10:00 A.M. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 Saturday, February 8, in Logan, Phillips County, KS, at St. John’s Church with inurnment to follow in Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation (5111 East 21st Street North, Wichita, KS 67208), Logan American Legion Post #281(PO Box 334, Logan KS 67646,) or the Sandy and Laura Sanborn Scholarship Fund (PO Box 167, Florissant, CO 80816).
