Steven J. Runge

Steven J. Runge, 56, of Lot 7, 803 West Irish Road in Mt. Pleasant, died at his home at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 18, 2000, of muscular dystrophy.

The memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 21, at Weir Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until noon on Friday, July 21, with the family present after the memorial service until 3 p.m.

Mr. Runge was born April 17, 1944 at Davenport, the son of Francis J. and Nellie M. Tipton Runge. He was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at 15 months. Despite his MD, he graduated from Galesburg High School in Illinois in 1962, where he was team manager and lettered in Silver Streaks football. He also managed the softball and track teams. He attended Western Illinois University for two years and in 1968 graduated from Gem City Technical Institute in Quincy, Ill., in the field of jewelry making and gemology.

He worked for several bi-state area jewelry stores until 1972 when he purchased and operated a New London jewelry store, which he operated until illness forced his retirement in 1977.

Survivors include one brother, Gary E. Runge of Galesburg; two sisters, Donna Fillman of Mt. Pleasant and Marilyn Lyon of Kahoka, Mo.; five nieces and nephews, and ten great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, O. Wayne Hunter.