Shirley Jane Runkle, 86, of Springfield, formerly of Schuyler County, died at 11:22 a.m. Feb. 15, 2015, at St. John’s Hospice in Springfield.Shirley Jane Runkle, 86, of Springfield, formerly of Schuyler County, died at 11:22 a.m. Feb. 15, 2015, at St. John’s Hospice in Springfield.
She was born April 11, 1928, in Littleton Township, Schuyler County, a daughter of Chester Brooks and Tennie Gray Hillyer. She married Wayne Runkle on Oct. 16, 1945, in Rushville. He survives.
Also surviving are four children, Dan (and Deb) Runkle of Dubuque, Iowa, Joan (and Rich) Hulet of Port Charlotte, Fla., Ken (and Lisa) Runkle of Springfield and Amy (and Randy) Mercer of Lexington, N.C.; two sisters, Ruth Runkle and Ruby Trone; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by four siblings, Geneva Martin, Chester Brooks Hillyer Jr., Russell Hillyer and Keith Hillyer.
She was a devoted wife and mother, a graduate of Littleton High School, a homemaker, a farm wife and a cafeteria cook at Rushville High School. After retirement, she served her Lord as a kitchen worker and leader at Rushville United Methodist Church, where she was a member.
In 1984, she was named Rushville Area Chamber of Commerce Mother of the Year. A cancer survivor, she participated in and supported Relay for Life.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville with Rev. Gary Bass officiating. Burial will follow in Littleton Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made in her memory to Rushville United Methodist Women, Rushville Relay for Life or Kumler Outreach Ministries.
Condolences may be sent to www.worthingtonfh.com.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus