VIRGIE M. RUNNELLS

July 25, 1924 - November 15, 2010

Virgie M. Runnells, a Merced resident for 25 years passed away in Modesto, California on November 15, 2010 at the age of 86 years. Virgie was born to Levi and Cordie McMullin inSt. Louis, Missouri on July 25, 1924.

Virgie loved to cook, and decided to make that her career. She became a Chef and enjoyed cooking for 47 years. She owned and operated Valley View Restaurant in Colfax for seven years and became the manager and cook for the Elks Lodge in Roseville for seven years. She also enjoyed quilting and was an excellent seamstress. She was a member of the Rebekahs Lodge and served as the Past Noble Grand and the State of California Past Grand Color Bearer. She was also a member of the Eastern Star.

She was preceded in death by her stepson, Kenneth Runnells; brother, Wilbur McMullin, and sister, Maretta Hall.

She is survived by her husband, Fred Runnells of Merced; daughters, Donna Vincze of Lolo, MT and Denise Corriea of Newark, CA; stepchildren, Carl Runnells of Stockton, and Julie Kolher and Becky Runnells both of Joplin, MO; sister, Sylvia Warren of Chico, CA and Lucille Gentile of Las Vegas, NV, and 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 22, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home. Burial will follow the funeral services at 2:00 p.m. at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, California.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.