Freda Mae (Schwartz) Runyon, age 89, of Noble, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital.
Freda was born on September 19, 1931 in Richland County, Illinois, the daughter of Charles Irvin and Bessie (Berger) Schwartz. She married Lenard Runyon on July 15, 1950 at Pleasant Ridge Church. He preceded her in death on April 23, 2013.
Freda was a member of the First Christian Church in Noble.
Freda was always hard-working and willing to help others. She was a wonderful cook & baker, and always welcomed people to her table.
In the early years, when the children were small, she enjoyed helping with the farming by driving the tractor and combine and helping with the livestock. She enjoyed attending basketball games her children and grandchildren were involved in.
She loved the outdoors and enjoyed gardening and working in her flower beds. She loved her big family and was always willing to help the grandchildren if they wanted to learn to do something she was doing, such as making noodles, jelly, and pies. Another favorite activity was making an annual trip to Branson with her sisters.
Every child and grandchild was blessed to receive at least one beautiful quilt made by her loving hands. She also crocheted many beautiful baby blankets for all the new additions to the family.
She was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew her.
Freda is survived by her six children, Diana (Henry) Bryan of Belleville, IL, Terry (Rose) Runyon of Noble, IL, Steve (Janice) Runyon of Olney, IL, John Runyon and Shirley Jenkins of Olney, IL, Donna (Paul) McGill of House Springs, MO, and Jeff (Peggy) Runyon of Noble, IL.
Surviving Grandchildren are Adam (Kristy) Bryan, Andrea (Mike) Green, Kathleen (Colin) Hogg, Matthew Runyon, Stephanie (Shawn) Williams, Amanda (Mike) Klingler, Lucas (Leslie) Runyon, Blake (Melissa) Runyon, Annette (Brett) Runyon-Donoho, Jennifer (Johnny) Carson, Jonathan (Jenn) Runyon, Nick Gibson, Daniel (Cortney) Runyon, Samantha (Drew) Denten, Tyler (Mary Elise) McGill, Ryan (Kelsey) Runyon, Rachel (Neil) Lortie, and Austin (Brandi) Runyon. Surviving Great Grandchildren are Clarkson & Campbell Bryan, Darby & Karina Green, Lydia Seiler, Bram & Brooks Hogg, Isabelle, Gavin, & Sophia Williams, Aaron, Isaac, Reed & Jonah Klingler, Taylor, Addalyn, Kenley, & Zaiden Runyon, Karissa, Andrew, Ethan & Elijah Runyon, Alexis & Destiny Sims, Andriana Eade, Liam Donoho, Maitland (Tim) Yuenger, Kennedy & Bryson Carson, Brody & Audry Runyon, Ember Runyon, Brady Denten, Case & Kolten Runyon, Oliver & Lionel Lortie, and Cyrus Runyon.Surviving Great Great Grandchildren are Hadleigh & Hazel Yuenger.
Freda is also survived by a brother & sister-in-law, Frank (Thelma) Schwartz, a sister-in-law, Lela Runyon, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lenard, sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy (Daryl) McGregor, sister and brother-in-law, Helen (Russell) Stacey, sister, Esther Schwartz, and great-grandchildren, Reese and Joshua Klingler.
A visitation for Freda will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at the First Christian Church of Noble. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 10, 2021, also at the First Christian Church of Noble. Pastor Woodrow Martin will be officiating.
Interment will follow the service at Crest Haven Memorial Park in Claremont.
Memorials can be made to First Christian Church of Noble.