Jeanne Louise Werking Runkel went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 12, 2021. The last living child
of Ray Edmond and Hannah Ruth (Neher) Werking, she was born in North Manchester, Indiana on June 19, 1929.
On August 9, 1947 Jeanne married her childhood sweetheart, Bill D. Runkel. The couple had three daughters, Vicki,
Dianne, and Debi. For over twenty-six years Jeanne helped to support the family by working at Chester and Manchester
Elementary Schools as cook, eventually retiring in 1994. She also helped on the farm and kept farm records. Bill and
Jeanne enjoyed camping at Jellystone Park, having cookouts with their loving friends and family, making homemade
ice cream, playing Euchre, and going on a cruise, but they especially loved square dancing together. Jeanne was also
skilled at needlework, making two wedding gowns and crocheting many baby blankets. She relished in her time in the
garden tending to her flowers.
Jeanne provided her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with a strong foundation for how a strong,
faithful, Christian woman should live. In her younger years, she was a member of the Servia United Church of Christ
and served as a worship leader for the youth at the church. She sang in the choir, taught summer Bible school, and held
various offices within the church. In their later years Jeanne and Bill became members at North Manchester Missionary
Church. In addition to being a role model for children at church, Jeanne was also a positive influence on the Wabash
County 4-H club. She was a 4-H leader for ten years and taught sewing and baking. She was particularly adept at
teaching left-handed girls how to sew. Jeanne was also a Charter member of Wabash County Homemakers and Chester
Charmers Home Economics Club.
On November 13, 2015, Bill sadly passed away. Jeanne’s faith in the Lord got her through the loss of her husband of
sixty-eight years.
The loving memory of Jeanne Louise Runkel will be forever cherished by her daughters, Vicki (Tom) Niccum, North
Manchester, Dianne (Richard Jr.) Fox, Urbana, and Debi (Steve) Vawter, North Manchester; grandchildren, Chad
(Rena) Vawter, Roann, Joshua (Carla) Niccum, Bourbon, Erin (Brian) Lang, Goshen, Michael (Ashley) Fox,
Huntington, and Zach (Katie) Vawter, North Manchester; fifteen great-grandchildren and five great-great-
grandchildren. Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, Ray Edmond and Hannah Ruth Werking; brothers,
Vernon Eugene Werking, J H “Jay” Werking, and John William Werking; and sisters, Joanne Ermadeanne Spann and
Patricia Ann Bonam.
Family and friends may call Friday, July 16, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114
West, North Manchester. Funeral services will begin Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at North Manchester
Missionary Church, 806 State Road 114, North Manchester, with calling beginning at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Ken Sistrunk
will officiate, and burial will be at Memorial Lawns, 1100 Manchester Ave., Wabash, Indiana.
For those who wish to honor the memory of Jeanne Runkel, memorial contributions may be made to North Manchester
Missionary Church, 806 State Road 114, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.
The family of Jeanne Louise Runkel has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.