Age 86. Beloved wife of the late Franklin.
Barbara Lee Isabel Gordon, born in Detroit, was the daughter of Helen and Arnold Gordon. She was the oldest of two children, her sister Nancy was born eight years later.
Her father worked in the steel industry, and mom stayed at home. They were a close family. Barbara' s father died of a heart attack in 1958, her mother died in 2004 at the age of 95, and her sister preceded Barbara in death by 7 months.

Barbara graduated from Mackenzie High School, and worked at the Red Robin Dress Shop in Detroit. In her later years, she worked for the Michigan Inspector Bureau, an Insurance Company, handling claims.

Barbara met Franklin Runkle through a church group, and on July 7, 1956 they married. He worked for G.E. and Ford Motor Company, where he retired after 28 years as an engineer. He died in 1991. They had one daughter, and they were estranged. Barbara was grandmother to five grandchildren, providing a loving home and supporting her daughter's entire family. She was particularly close to her oldest grandchild, Gaven, who she enjoyed spending time with.

Barbara was a loving aunt to Steve, Gordon, Mark, and their families, with whom she spent many holidays and special events with. She enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle; watching movies, with a fondness for musicals, like Dirty Dancing; and playing bingo at Heartland Health Care Center in Bloomfield Hills.

A committal service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, January 19, 2018 in the Glen Eden Memorial Park Chapel, 35667 W. 8 Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48152.
Officiating will be Rev. Doug Thompson, Pastor of WARD Presbyterian Church, Northville.