Matthew Dylan Runde

Matthew Dylan Runde, age 32, passed away on February 22nd, 2025 at 11:05 am, on a cold but sunny Virginia day, surrounded by his loving family, after a brief illness. Matt was named by his PA (Great Grandpa), after Marshall Matt Dillon from Gun Smoke. A fact that he was very proud of. Matthew was born August 29th, 1992 at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, MO, with a diagnosis of Down's Syndrome. We all worried what life would look like for Matt. I can tell you that we worried for nothing. Matt attended Mize Elementary, Monticello Trails Middle School, Mill Valley High, and Access House in Kansas. 

If you were loved by Matt, you knew you were loved. He wasn't a shy kid, he was a people person who made friends everywhere he went. Matt loved the ladies and the ladies loved Matt, I imagine there were arguments over who got to go to prom with him! Matt was a movie conissiouer, a reader, and a gamer. He could talk for hours about his favorite books and movies, and you better listen because he would correct you and start over if you didn't keep up! Matt was part of the Special Olympics, an extension of family that helped Matt become the man he was. He spent part of his life in Kansas, then Florida, and finally Virginia. Matt loved the Lord, he accepted Jesus and was baptized in 2017 at Chet's Creek Church in Jacksonville, Florida. There aren't enough pages or words to tell you how much Matt was loved by his family and friends. Matt was ornery, kind, funny, and smart. Every one of us has a Matt story. Keep those stories in your heart and share them. Matt will live on through us, those that loved him. 

Matt was preceded in death by his maternal great grandparents, Harry and Hazel Jones, maternal grandparents Kenny and Linda Schulz, and paternal grandmother Mary "Teddy" Runde. 

Matt is survived by his parents, Keith and Missy Runde, sister Megan (Justin) Zeller, brother Jake (Krystal) Runde. Nieces Maci, Addaliah, Addie, Delilah, and Dixie and nephew Hunter. Grandfather Bernie Runde and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 

Celebration of Life information will be announced at a later time. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com

Crossing Over

 Oh, please don’t feel guilty,

It was just my time to go.

I see you are still feeling sad,

And the tears just seem to flow.

We all come to earth for our lifetime,

And for some, it’s not so many years.

I don’t want you to keep crying,

You are shedding so many tears.

I haven’t really left you,

Even though it may seem so.

I have just gone to my heavenly home,

And I’m closer to you than you know.

Just believe that when you say my name,

I’m standing next to you,

I know you long to see me,

But there’s nothing I can do.

But I’ll still send you messages,

And hope you understand,

That when your time comes to “cross over,”

I’ll be there to take your hand.