Martha Runkle

Esperance- Martha E. Runkle, 81, of Creekside Lane, died at her home on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 with her loving husband at her side.

She was born February 10, 1933, in Cooperstown, NY and was the daughter of Gordon and Mildred (Zeh) Neville.

Martha was a 1951 graduate of the former Cobleskill Central School and married her husband on July 28 of the same year. Her employment took her to many area companies including Chemical Leaman Tank Line of Howes Cave, a proof reader at the Times Journal Newspaper, Northeast Motors, Schoharie County Health Department, and finally with I-88 Express Trucking in Howes Cave. She was a member of Zion St. Johns Lutheran Church in Seward where she was the organist for 23 years.

Martha is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, Gordon; two daughters: Brenda (Dennis) Zicha of Grand Blanc, MI and Doreen (David) Freeman of Esperance; a son: Vincent Runkle of Beaumont, TX; two sisters: Shirley Ethington of Esperance and Betty Jane Allen of Carlisle; one brother: William Jay Neville of Argusville; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and her grandson, Joshua Gale, who died in 1999.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at Seward Valley Cemetery in Dorloo with Rev. Paul Messner of Hartwick Seminary officiating. A luncheon will be held prior to the graveside service at the Zion St. John's Lutheran Church in Seward from 12PM to 1:30 PM for those who wish to attend. A period of visitation will be held on Friday, May 16 from 5 to 7 PM at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm Street, Cobleskill, NY.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Zion St. John's Lutheran Church, Mesick Ave., Cobleskill, NY 12043 and/or Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 795 East Main Street, Suite 11, Cobleskill, NY 12043.