Edward Lee Runyan
Feb. 14, 1938-April 21, 2022
Edward Lee Runyan, 84, of Zionsville went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 21, 2022, surrounded by love in his home. He was born Feb. 14, 1938, at Crawfordsville, to the late Mary DeEtta (Wilkinson) Runyan and Elihu Runyan.
Born in a rural community, Ed enjoyed farming from the time he cultivated his own “fields” at age 2 and most recently from his sunroom as he checked weather reports and grain alerts throughout each day. After farming with his father, grandfathers and brother during his formative years, Ed graduated in 1956 from Waynetown High School and attended Franklin College before transferring to Elkhart University School of Medical and Dental Technique.
Following graduation, Eddie Lee married his childhood sweetheart, Joyce Ann Hayes, on June 25, 1960. Upon completion of his service with the National Guard, Ed accepted a position as a private technician in Indianapolis and then opened his own dental laboratory in 1963. Over the course of the next 45 years, Ed enjoyed providing form, function and aesthetics to his dentists as well as leadership positions with the Indiana Dental Laboratory Association. Meanwhile, Ed challenged himself by obtaining his real estate broker’s license, turning properties, purchasing land, farming up to several hundred acres and building a storage business. While he retired from actively operating a laboratory in 2008, his mind never retired from any of the vocations the Lord placed in his life.
Faith led the Runyans to buy a home and, with the help of his brother, Malcolm, retrofit the basement to provide housing for missionaries who were either preparing for the mission field or back in the States on furlough. This endeavor provided lifelong relationships for Ed and Joyce Ann and fueled their desire to support all kinds of ministry platforms in order to share the hope of the gospel. Ed would be the first to say he was a sinner saved by grace, and he remained ever-thankful for his relationship with a merciful God.
Ed lived out his faith by serving with many churches over the years. He was a deacon at Whitestown Baptist Church for twenty years before becoming a founding member and elder of Zionsville Fellowship Church. During summers in Maine, he membered with Birch Harbor Baptist Church where he and Joyce Ann built into that community of believers; most recently, Ed and Joyce Ann worshipped with Northside Christian Fellowship.
Ed held the strong conviction that the Lord had given him the privilege of providing for and protecting his family and each member is grateful for his dedication to that conviction. He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Joyce Ann; daughters, LeeAnn (Scott) Biggs and Laura (Brice) Dunshee; grandchildren, Blake (Ariane) Dunshee, Parker Dunshee (fiancé Katherine Ratz), Hannah (Dustin) Attema and Carter Dunshee; and great-granddaughter Tesia Joy Attema. Also surviving are brother, Malcolm (Sue) Runyan; sister Nancy (Ben) Austin; and nephews, Eric (Angie) Runyan, Scott (Shannon) Johnson, Michael (Angie) Johnson, Craig (Carrie) Runyan and Daniel (Mary Kate) Johnson. Ed cherished memories of time spent with his extended family, including cousins (special bond with his “Cuzzie” Karen) and great nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Zionsville Fellowship Church, with visitation 4-8 p.m. Monday, April 25 and the funeral at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 26. A private graveside service in Montgomery County will follow the celebration of life. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simplicity Funeral Home in Zionsville.
Memorial contributions can be made to Neighborhood Fellowship Compassion Clinic, P.O. Box 156, Zionsville, IN 46077. For more information or for online giving, visit www.compassionclinics.org.
You are invited to read Edward’s obituary at simplicityfuneralandcremationcare.com, where you may sign the guest book and leave a personal message for the family.
