John William Runge, 85, of Huntley, died peacefully on August 30, 2022, in Barrington.
John was born in Elmhurst on January 14, 1937, to parents Frank and Helen (nee Miller) Runge. In June of 1957, John met Phyllis Stanczyk at the local roller rink and was quickly smitten. The couple was married on September 5, 1959, and would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this year. Shortly after getting married, John was drafted and served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1962. John was a dedicated husband and father, and was the ultimate family man. He was absolutely devoted to Phyllis and rarely told her no, and he loved raising his three boys and taking them on fishing trips. John was a skilled woodworker and greatly enjoyed working with his hands. In his spare time, if he wasn’t playing the piano, he enjoyed auto racing, bowling, archery, and fishing. He was a great man who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Phyllis, his sons, Wade (Laurie) Runge, Thomas (Jamie Lawrence) Runge, and Matthew “Dean” (Tracy) Runge, his grandchildren, Nicki (Chris), Jessica (Jason), Kevin, and Payton, his great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Harrison, Eliza, and Benjamin, and his sister, Gloria Beck.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.
Visitation will be Saturday, September 3, 2022, from 9 a.m. to time of mass 10 a.m. all at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in John’s name can be made to Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago https://www.luriechildrens.org/ and the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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Donna and I offer our sincerest condolences to Phyllis and the entire Runge Family. John was a pillar of our Neighborhood 25: so welcoming, so helpful, such a wonderful man. We have all lost a true friend.
My condolences to the family. We will all miss him. It was a privilege and an honor and pleasure to know him and have him in our lives. Rest in Peace Mr. Runge.
If you are my former classmate Phyllis please know that I am so s p rry that you lost such a good husband but so glad you had him Much love, Starr Larson Hanson