Millie M. Runyan

On Thursday, July 8, 2021, Millie Hall Runyan was reunited with her husband of over 64 years. Millie died of a stroke at Carle Clinic in Champaign, Illinois at the age of 86. Millie is survived by her four children: Dani Pitt of Robinson, IL, Rhonda (and Chris) Leauber of Watertown, TN, Jolie Runyan (and Ron Finkbiner) of Surprise, AZ, and Kevin (and Angela) Runyan of Granger, IN. She leaves behind four treasured grandchildren: Brooke Pulley, Anika (and Trey) Currie, Destin Finkbiner, Sophia Runyan and seven great-grandchildren: Danielle Arndt, Faith Pulley, Isaiah Pitt, Rain and Griffin Panetti, Irelann Currie, Aesa Finquay and one great-great-grandson Mikolas Arndt. Millie is preceded in death by her husband "Doc" Runyan, her grandson Benjamin Pitt, her parents Howard and Anna Katherine Hall, her siblings Lorraine Fox, Howard "Bud" Hall, her sister Mildred who died in her father's arms from the Spanish Flu at the age of seven, and brother Lawrence who died at birth. Millie was born in Waterloo, IA to parents Howard and Anna Hall. She attended Oak Park Academy in Nevada, IA and then Union College in Lincoln, NE where she met and married Donald Runyan on August 4, 1956. Millie began her career as Dean of Women at Blue Mountain Academy in Hamburg, PA from 1963 - 1968. In 1968, the family moved to Collegedale, TN where she held the position of Head Dean of Women at Southern Missionary College until 1986. In 1980, while working full-time, raising children, a grandson and taking care of her elderly mother, Millie managed to complete her Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science from Southern Missionary College. In 1987, Don and Millie moved to Robinson, IL. She earned her Master's Degree in Counseling from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL in 1991. Her family proudly remembers the day she marched in her cap and gown at graduation next to her son Kevin who had also earned his Master's degree. Millie found her true calling as the Team Leader / Mental Health Therapist at Southeastern Illinois Counseling Centers, Inc. in Robinson, IL. After her retirement in the fall of 2000, Millie worked with at-risk youth at A.C.E. Afterschool Program until 2010. She also served on the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. Throughout her life and career, Millie was passionately devoted to helping those in need. Her clients at the counseling center often stopped her in the grocery store or on the sidewalk to share their gratitude for helping them through their darkest times. Her A.C.E. students remember how she listened to them, encouraged them and read to them on the little red couch in her office. Her biological children affectionately called her "The Giving Tree" for the many ways she nourished and sustained their lives. Millie belonged to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church until 1986 when she and Doc joined the United Methodist Church. She treasured her church family. However, her lifelong quest for understanding scripture, exploring spirituality and connecting with her Higher Power eventually led her out of denominational affiliation and into the belief that God is Love and Love transcends organized religion. Millie will be remembered for her strength, wisdom, kindness and almost naïve belief in the innate goodness of others. Millie's inclusive and loving nature can be summed up in one of her favorite poems by Edwin Markham: "He drew a circle that shut me out - Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win; We drew a circle that took him in!" A time of visitation will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 31st at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Millie and Doc's Life Celebration will immediately follow and will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. A live stream of the service will be available on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by going to https://www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream . Memorial gifts can be made to "Agape Christian Counseling" Checks may be mailed to: Goodwine Funeral Home 303 E Main St. Robinson, IL 62454