Karen Lou Reeder Runkle

Born at home to Chet and Lena Reeder and raised in the Macomb, IL area. Karen graduated from Northwestern High School, then worked at the Good Hope Telephone Exchange. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Everett Runkle, for 65 years. They had known each other for 70 years. Karen, Everett and his brother Roy, were known as the “Three Musketeers” in their high school days. The trio moved to the Huntsville, AL area around 1961. A faithful member of the Catholic faith, she attended Our Lady Queen of the Universe (Huntsville, AL), St John the Baptist (Madison, AL), and most recently, Our Most Merciful Jesus (Madison, AL).

She was known all her life for her artistic abilities. In her later years, she loved to make quilts, by hand and machine. She belonged to a few quilt guilds, and had a special affection for Project Linus. She loved her “kitty cats,” too (Boots and Socks). When her kids were in elementary school, she worked in the Mastin Lake Elementary school library. She later worked for AAA motor association in Huntsville for many years. She and Everett also had a few rental properties she worked hard keeping up to her standards. Karen especially loved her time working as a poll worker for Madison county, Alabama voters. She spent most of her time as a poll worker at West Mastin Lake Elementary school. When making frequent trips back and forth to Illinois to visit family when her kids were young, Everett, Karen, Roy and Mary, Roy’s wife, all earned their private pilots licenses. This sure made the trip to Illinois quicker, and more fun for the kids.

She was the mother of four children- Tammy Runkle, Tim (Penny) Runkle-TX, Tina (Vic) Schiavone, and Teresa (Kenny) Wilson. Six Grandchildren- Vita (Colin) Schiavone-Montgomery, Nathan (Cameo) Schiavone, Drs. Jon (Casey) Schiavone (GA), Timmy (Kayla) Schiavone, Pete (Kylee) Schiavone, and Faith Schiavone. Two step-granddaughters (Penny’s girls, TX)- Abby Carr and Cassandra (Bradley) Danek. Two step great grandsons (Abby’s boys, TX)-Travis Sisson and Braden Robison.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant sister, Beverly, brother Kenny (Joyce, Linda) Reeder, and sister Roberta (Marty) Hanson, all of Illinois. She is survived by her brother Rod (Janie) Reeder, New York. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, one sister-in-law, Joyce, and one brother-in-law, Marty.

Karen had a passion for charitable giving too. The Family asks that in lieu of flowers please give to St. Jude or the Most Merciful Savior building fund.