Funeral services for Delbert John Runyan, age 86, of Crawford, NE will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 22, 2016 at Chamberlain Chapel in Crawford with Dr. Russ Seger officiating.

 

Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Chadron, NE. 

 

A memorial has been established for the Crawford Rescue Unit, the Ponderosa Villa, and the Methodist Church. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.

 

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

 

Delbert, or “Del” as he was known to some, passed away on January 17, 2016. He was born on May 22, 1929 and raised in the Dead Horse Creek and Chadron area of Nebraska. After high school in 1951, Delbert joined the Marine Corps and served two years, training at Camp Pendleton in California before beginning a tour that included Korea and Japan.

 

In June 1962, he married Margia Joy Ginn of Florence, AL. Joy’s two-year-old daughter Vickie was joined by baby brother John that year. The family lived in many places throughout the country. Delbert could turn his hand to anything, but his favorite was roping and all the things that go along with it. He even followed the professional circuit for a brief period in the 1950s. Wherever the family found themselves, arenas, horses and steers were sure to be close at hand. Senior team roping became a facet of his later life and more than a few Arizona arenas know his name. If he was ever truly happy, it was on the back of a horse swinging a rope.

 

Survivors include wife Donna Runyan; daughter Vickie and husband Bill Boyd of Piedmont, OK; son John and fiancée April of Phoenix, AZ; ex-wife Joy Runyan of Yukon, OK; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

 

Delbert was preceded in death by parents Elmer Runyan and Eleanor Celik-Runyan and brothers Marvin and Donnie.

 

You die as you live.

 

Chamberlain Chapel of Crawford is in charge of arrangements for Delbert Runyan.