Runyon Dyer

Runyon Estes Dyer, 92, died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Oct. 13, 1909, in Opdyke, Ill., the only child of Theodore Graham and Florence Estes Dyer. He and Lucille Recker of Portageville, Mo., were married April 22, 1931, in Waterloo, Ill. Lucille was a registered nurse. She died March 26, 1970.

Runyon grew up in East St. Louis, Ill., and graduated from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in June 1931. He was a registered pharmacist in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas and Florida.

He joined the U.S. Army in February 1941 and was discharged at Camp Crowder, Mo., in August 1945. He served in the European theater as NCOIC of the pharmacy of the 156th General Hospital.

Runyon was employed as a pharmacist in Cape Girardeau by the late Homer George in March 1949, and worked for Broadway Prescription Shop 36 years before retiring in 1985.

He joined the Cape Girardeau Police Reserve Feb. 28, 1955, became assistant chief in 1962, and chief in 1967. He retired in 1986 after serving under five police chiefs. He was commissioned a special deputy sheriff by five Cape Girardeau County sheriffs.

Runyon was a 50-year member of Masonic Lodge 852 in Belleville, Ill., served as president and vice president of Cape Girardeau County Pharmaceutical Association, was a member of Arkansas State Pharmacists Association, life member of VFW Post 3838, and member of American Legion Post 63.

Survivors include a cousin in Dallas, Texas, three cousins in Tinley Park, Ill., and a cousin in Crystal City, Mo.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home from 10-11 a.m. Saturday.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Emmett Owensby officiating. Burial will be in Opdyke Cemetery in Opdyke.