Richard Runnels, Sr.

Funeral services for Mr. Richard Runnels, Sr., 84, of Monroe, LA, will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at North Monroe Baptist Church with Dr. Bill Dye and Rev. Warren Eckhardt officiating. Interment will follow at 2:00 P.M. at Kilbourne Cemetery in Kilbourne, LA, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home Sterlington Rd., Monroe, LA. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church.

Mr. Runnels was born August 30,1939 in Eudora, Arkansas, and passed away December 8, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer. He was a resident of Monroe, LA since December 1969; and was small business owner of Comfort Center Heating and Air, from 1972 - 2005, (33 years), President of Louisiana Heat Pump Association, and Proud ULM Booster.

He loved his church family and enjoyed serving his Lord and Savior Jesus. He was a faithful member of North Monroe Baptist Church for 30 years, where he served as Deacon and teacher of the Encouragers Bible Fellowship class. He also volunteered at Ray of Hope Ministries almost 20 Years. He had a passion for missions and participated in several mission opportunities at home and abroad, including donating his baseball cap collection and many beanie babies overseas. His goal was to hear our LORD say, "Well done thy God and faithful servant."

Mr. Runnels was preceded in death by his mother and father, Violet and Hebron Runnels, brothers Kenny and Ronnie Runnels and sister Janell Hays. 

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Peggy Hamilton Runnels; two children: daughter, Shelley Stauffer; and son, Richey and daughter-in-law, Sheila Runnels; grandchildren, Joey and Kelly Runnels, Timothy and Robbie Stauffer, Savannah and Jared Person, Josh Runnels and Lisa Doolittle, Beka and Alex Pendergrass; great-grandchildren, Aubrey Stauffer, Bentley and Delilah Pendergrass, Jordan Runnels and Trip Stauffer; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Pallbearers will be Mark Schrock, Darren Sims, Scott Schrock, James Goldman, Andrew Dye and Taylor Huey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Goldman, Tom Causey, Bob Webber, Tom Smith, Pee Wee Clanton, Encouragers Bible Fellowship class, and Ray of Hope team.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Daring Faith Fund at North Monroe Baptist Church.