John William "Jack" Rundle was born to William McKinley and Sarah Jeannette (O'Connell) Rundle just before midnight on February 28, 1922, avoiding a leap year birth and, he often said, many missed birthdays. He grew up southeast of Logan, Kansas on the family farm where he and all his siblings were born. He attended the Towanda one-room country school through 8th grade. The Towanda School House is now part of the Logan Historical Museum. He went to Logan High School graduating with the class of 1940. A proud graduate, Jack enjoyed attending the Logan alumni banquets for almost 70 years.

After high school, he worked on the farm with his father. He also worked in the Dakotas, shocking wheat, flax and barley. Jack's farming career spanned the era of horse drawn implements and milking cows by hand, to gas powered tractors and milking machines. Though the last tractors were air conditioned he never upgraded to machine milking having a rotating crew of home-grown, very able if not always enthusiastic milkers on hand. In addition to farming, Jack worked at Logan Farmer's Union Co-op for 18 years.

Jack was drafted into the Army in 1944. He served with the 779th Tank Battalion and was stationed in the Philippines. He was aboard ship en-route to Japan and while just two days away, the war ended. Upon his return from service, Jack joined the Ralph DeFors American Legion Post 281 and was a continuous member for 64 years. He was quite proud when the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 281 was chartered in Logan in 2008, and several of his sons and grandsons became charter members.

Jack was united in marriage to Sylvia Wood in 1947 at St. John's Catholic Church in Logan. To this union eight children were born: John, Tim, Mike, Shirley, Kathleen, David Leland and James. Jack and Sylvia celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 1987 by renewing their wedding vows with Fr. Daryl Olmstead officiating. Their children sent them on a train trip that took them from Omaha to Arizona and up to Washington state visiting family and friends along the way. They were married 42 years when Sylvia passed away in December 1989. Jack was a devoted member of St. John's Catholic Church all his life. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and served as a Eucharistic minister for a number of years.

In January 1991, Jack was united in marriage to Rachel (Krauss) Morris. They were married for over 19 years. They enjoyed many bus tours. Among the most memorable was a trip to New York City where Jack got to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral and touch the walls his Great-Grandfather Daniel O'Connell, a stone mason, had helped build. Jack and Rachel traveled until his health kept them home. Each of the children and grandchildren were blessed to have their grandparents Jack, Sylvia and Rachel as their most proud supporters. As grandparents, they attended many concerts, sporting events, graduations, scouting ceremonies, baptisms, confirmations, and weddings. 4-H was also an important part of family life.

Jack loved the program and people of Alcoholics Anonymous. His children are extremely proud and grateful for his 57 years of one day at a time. His dedication to recovery was a tremendous inspiration not only to his family but to countless other individuals.

Jack is survived by his wife Rachel of Logan, children John & Carolyn, Tim & Noreen, Mike, Shirley & Rick, Kathleen & Gary, David, Leland & Christina and James & Cindy; and step-sons, Jim Morris & Margaret and Dilman Morris & Barb. Also surviving are 39 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition surviving relatives include nine sisters-in-law, six brothers-in-law and a large extended family.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010 in the St. John's Catholic Church, Logan, with Father Benjamin Saw & Father Daryl Olmstead officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the Ralph DeFors American Legion Post No.281 and the Fort Riley Honor Guard followed in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan.

The rosary was recited at 6:30 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ralph DeFors American Legion Post No. 281, The Sunny Side 4-H Club and the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation, Clyde E. Berger Memorial Library at the Timbers Homes, Wichita.

Arrangements by Logan Funeral Home, 102 E. Church Street, Logan, KS 67646.