CHARLES W RUNGE, SR

Charles “Chuck” Runge, Sr. of Eureka, MT, died at the age of 78 on Jan. 28, 2021 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was born June 22, 1942 in Chester, Illinois to Edward Henry and Louise A. (Waltemate) Runge.

Chuck served in the United States Army as a military policeman. He served in the United States, Germany, France and Belgium. While in Belgium he had the honor of raising the NATO flag at its inauguration ceremony on October 16, 1967. He became disabled during his military service in 1972. Following his service he worked as a machinist in Colorado. Chuck then received his degree in business from the University of Albuquerque and worked as an accountant for the Veterans Administration until becoming fully disabled. He moved to Montana in 1977. His favorite activities were attending auctions, tinkering in his shop, bingo, and helping others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Mamie Marie (Houston) Runge, brothers Edward James and Rickie Edward, sister Betty Jean Place, great-grandson, Rowan and step-brother Robert Lee Houston.

Survivors include his sisters Audrey Faye Downey and Linda Sue Straub, both of Murphysboro, Illinois; his children, Chuck Jr. (Rene), Angela Hesselberg (Jeff) both of Colorado Springs, CO; Kevin Michael of Scottsdale, AZ; Edward Henry II (Amy) of Brentwood, CA; and 8 grandchildren, Cory and Brandon (Angela), Bryan, Sean, Ashley and James (Kevin), and Marissa and Kyle (Ed), and 6 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at the Schnackenberg Funeral Home at 222 1st Avenue W in Eureka with burial to follow at the Tobacco Valley Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Eureka. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in his name to the Disabled Veterans Organization or Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

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