Marilyn J. Runkel, of Hopkins, died Saturday, Aug. 19, at Morrison Manor (Hospice) of Scotland County in Laurinburg, N.C., where she had been residing since 2014 with her daughter, Ann Runkel Krotz.
Mrs. Runkel was born July 1, 1927, in Hopkins, the daughter of Harley and Marion (Stone) Sebright. Marilyn graduated from Hopkins High School in 1944 and after graduated from Allegan County Normal.
She married Robert Runkel on Dec. 5, 1947. Marilyn taught elementary school in a one-room school house before they were married and then became a stay-at-home mother and full-time help to her husband on their farm in Monterey Township. In later years, when her children went off to college, she worked at Hopkins Public School system in the superintendent’s office doing payroll and other secretarial duties.
Surviving are two children, Ann (David) Krotz of North Carolina and Steven (Linda) Runkel of Grand Rapids, daughter-in-law, Bonneta (Brian) Runkel of Allegan, sister-in-law, Arlene Snoeyink of Lansing, nine grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Runkel, son, Brian Runkel, her sister, Norma Johnson, and four brothers: Malcom, Robert, Clare and Russ Sebright as well as her parents.
Friends may meet with the family from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the
Gorden Funeral Residence, Hopkins Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday,
Aug. 24, at the Burnips LifeChange Community Church (formally Burnips Wesleyan Church), where she was a member.
Pastor Stephen Jones will officiate. Graveside services will be conducted at Poplar Hill Cemetery immediately following the service. A light luncheon will be provided at the church immediately following graveside services at Poplar.
