Burnette Brown (“Burney”) Runkle entered eternity peacefully on Sept. 15, 2017 in Mechanicsburg, PA at the age of 94. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Joseph S Brown and M. Florence (Sherlock) Brown and is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Barbara and William Buchanan of West Point Mississippi, and her sister-in-law Dr. Rae Brown of McVeytown. Also surviving are her children, Stephen A Runkle and his wife Janeann of Mechanicsburg , PA; Dean E Runkle and his wife Kathe of Lititz, PA; and Dr. Barbara R Levkoy and her husband Richard of Sewickley, PA, as well as 6 grandchildren Lynne Grew(Chuck), John Runkle (Janet), Martha Jaworowski (Peter), Abigail Brown (Russell), Abraham Levkoy , Ellen Levkoy; and 5 great grandchildren, Amber Grew, Nathan Grew, Johanna Runkle, Jacob Runkle, and Casey Jaworowski. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years G. William (“Bill”) Runkle, her sister Maxine Quigley, and two brothers, Dr. Joseph S Brown, Jr. and Dr. Richard S Brown.
Born on September 30, 1922 in Academia, PA, she grew up in Lewistown and graduated from Lewistown High School with the class of 1940. She attended Bucknell University and then Temple University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology. After returning to Lewistown, she worked in the laboratory of the Lewistown Hospital for 10 years acting as head of the lab for part of that time, then went to work for her brother Dr. Joseph S Brown, Jr. for the next 30 years. After her retirement, she volunteered at the hospital for a number of years.
Burney thoroughly enjoyed her work and her family, and was also active in many community organizations including providing leadership to girl scout and cub scout troops, serving and holding office in the PTA of 7th Ward school, the 7th Ward Playground Association, Daughters of the American Colonists, Charity League and Twentieth Century Club.
She was a lifelong member of the Lewistown Presbyterian Church, and was involved in the Sunday school program for 50 years, teaching children’s classes and later serving as superintendent. She was a lay reader and was ordained an elder in 1980 and elected Clerk of Session in 1997, retiring from that role in 2009.
In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, knitting, cross stitch, puzzles and games of all kinds – especially bridge. Many of her family and friends have received homemade gifts that were lovingly made by her.
She was loved and admired by those that knew her, and will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from the Lewistown Presbyterian Church, 17 East Third St., Lewistown with the Rev. James Thomas officiating. Interment will be in the Academia Cemetery, Academia.
There will be no viewing; however, the family will receive friends from 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of service at the church.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, donations can be made to the Lewistown Presbyterian Church, 17 East Third Street, Lewistown, Pennsylvania 17044.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown.
For online condolences and tributes please visit www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.