NEW BERLIN – John Frederick Runion died July 25, 2013. He was born on August 10, 1941 in New Berlin, the son of Alfred and RuthEsau Runion.
John spent his early years in New Berlin and attended what was formerly New Berlin Central School, graduating in 1959. He went on to Hartwick College in Oneonta and Syracuse University. He taught music in Whitney Point and Greene Central Schools for 32 years. He also repaired and tuned piano, and was a fine carpenter.
John was a member of the Main St. Baptist Church in Binghamton and served many years as organist and choir director.
John was a family man, devoted to his wife of 45 years, Diane Aylesworth Runion who survives. Also surviving are their children, Eric (Julie) Runion, Amanda (Dan) Svobota, Andrew (Stacie) Runion, as well as grandchildren: Isaiah Space, Jonathan Runion, Catharine Runion and Elizabeth Runion, William and Elianna Runion, and Cassandra and Faith Svoboda.
His surviving siblings are brother Stephen Runion, and sisters The Rev. Gladys Williford, Margaret Millspaugh, Sarita Fiske, and Valerie Jones. Another sister, Corinne Shamey, died in May of 1989.
Services were held at the Main St. Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 30, with interment in Vestal Hills Memorial Park.