Colonel (Retired) Ronald Lee Runyon, 82, of Bargersville, IN passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis, IN.

He was born August 27, 1940 in Crawfordsville, IN to Herbert Bloom Runyon and Beulah Loraine (Snyder) Runyon.  He married Sarah "Sally" Ann (Bailey) Runyon on December 17, 1982 in Indianapolis, IN, she survives.

He was a 1958 graduate of Crawfordsville High School, received his Bachelors of Arts degree from Northwood University in Midland, MI and his Master's degree from Oakland City University in Oakland City, IN.

COL Ronald L Runyon served in the Indiana Army National Guard for over 40 years, starting in 1957 and culminating with retirement as a Colonel assigned as the Chief of Staff for the Indiana National Guard in 1997.  Enlisting in the Indiana Army National Guard in 1957, he graduated Officer Candidacy School and was commissioned in 1961 as a 2 ^nd Lieutenant.  His final assignment as the Indiana National Guard's Chief of Staff highlights a career marked by increased responsibilities within Indiana and influencing policies at the national level. Assignments from Captain to Colonel included leadership and staff positions at the battery, brigade, division and state levels with duties as Reconnaissance Officer, Communications Officer, Operations Officer, Personnel Officer, 38 ^th Infantry Division Chief of Staff, and finally as Chief of Staff for the Indiana National Guard, serving directly for the state's Adjutant General.

A career marked by continuous professional development and demanding assignments, after attending Field Artillery Basic Course, COL Runyon completed Jungle Operations Training Course, Artillery Fires Support Course, Counter -terrorism Course, and the Command and General Staff course, where he graduated with distinction.

Notable amongst his awards include the Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, and seven Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals.  COL Runyon earned one of his Meritorious Service Medals for service in Honduras in 1985.

Following his retirements, he served as a finance manager for Umbarger Show Feeds in Bargersville for eight years and later the finance manager for the Community Church of Greenwood.  He was a longtime member of the Community Church of Greenwood and a lifetime member of the National Guard Association of Indiana and the National Guard Association of the United States.

Colonel Runyon was also a member of the Bargersville Masonic Lodge and Indianapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite.

He enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, attending grandchildren's sporting events and cooking for family and friends.

Survivors include his wife Sarah "Sally" Ann (Bailey) Runyon of Bargersville, IN, sons Don Runyon (Helen) of Duluth, GA and Michael Runyon (Kim) of Brownsburg, IN, daughters Amy Hord (Thom) of Franklin, IN and Deborah Hamilton (Tim) of Carmel, IN, brother Herbert "Barney" Runyon (Judy) of Perry, GA, grandsons Austin Hord (Caitlyn) of Indianapolis, IN, Samuel Hord of Franklin, IN, Matt Runyon (Jess) of Ballwin, MO, Mitchell Runyon of Highlands Ranch, CO, Matthew Runyon (Anna) of Brownsburg, IN, Christopher Runyon of Brownsburg, IN and Daniel Schooley of Denver, CO, granddaughters Mary Susan "Marsi" Edwards (Justin) of Bargersville, IN, Madelynne Runyon of Brownsburg, IN, Caileigh Runyon of Brownsburg, IN, Heather Rodenbaugh (Brogan) of Lake City, CO and Faith Wailes (John) of Highlands Ranch, CO, great-grandsons Connor Runyon of Ballwin, MO, and Benjamin Edwards of Bargersville, IN, great-granddaughters Grace Runyon of Ballwin, MO, Juliet Wailes of Highlands Ranch, CO and Adriana Wailers of Highlands, CO.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Patricia W. Anderson.

Dr. Charles Lake, Pastor Jason Gallman, Pastor Dean Bouzeos and Thom Hord will conduct a service on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 11AM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com .  Friends may call Friday, October 21, 2022 from 4PM until 7PM and Saturday 9AM until service time at the mortuary.  Burial with full military honor by the United States Army Honor Guard will follow the service at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Greenwood, IN.

The family request memorial contributions may be made to The Refuge, 1150 Southpark Drive, Greenwood, IN 46143 or at www.therefugeinc.com .

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com .  Information at 317-738-0202.