1940 Shotgun Suicide

Obituary of Jesse Claude Runyan

Jesse Claude Runyan 1881 - 1940, oldest child of Robert Noah and Mary Darling Runyan. Married Lena Hudelson 1910. Children: Walter, Marguerite, Thelma, Pearl and Viola. Older brother to my maternal grandfather, Lawrence. One of my mother's fond memories of her Uncle Jess was seeing him standing in front of the mirror in his long johns adjusting his hat this way and that. Mom described her uncle as "dapper"!

dap·per  (dpr) adj.

1.a. Neatly dressed; trim. b. Very stylish in dress.

2. Lively and alert.

[Middle English daper, elegant, probably from Middle Dutch dapper, quick, strong.]

J. C. RUNYAN, RESIDENT OF OLD UNION, TAKES OWN LIFE

Jesse C. Runyan, age 58, a well-known and prosperous farmer living in the Old Union neighborhood, north of this city, ended his life Monday afternoon about 4:30 o'clock with a shotgun, while in a woods near his country home. Mr. Runyan had been in poor health for several months, following severe head and back injuries suffered when he fell off a load of hay last June.

Mr. Runyan was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Runyan and was born in Spiceland, November 22, 1881, and had spent the greater part of his life in this vicinity. He was highly respected by all who knew him, and was a faithful husband and indulgent father.

He is survived by the window, Mrs. Lena Runyan, and four daughters: Mrs. Carl Jones of Spiceland, and Misses Thelma and Pearl Runyan of this city, and Miss Viola Runyan, at home. Also two sisters, Mrs. Oral Crim, of New Castle, and Mrs. T. J. Spears, of Danville, Ill, and one brother, Lawrence Runyan, of near Lewisville.

The funeral services were held on Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock from his late residence, with Rev. Ernest A. Addison, pastor of the local Christian Church, officiating. Burial was made in Glen Cove cemetery; O. M. Wilson, funeral director.


[Note: Obituary hand dated on the back: October 23, 1940. Death was on the 21st.]

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