obit-thumbnail

Lewis J. Runnels DVM

June 13, 1925 - November 8, 2020
candle-small flame
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. Light a candle Light a candle
Light a Candle

Dr. Lewis J. Runnels, age 95, died peacefully of natural causes on November 8, 2020, at Westminster Village Health Care, West Lafayette, Indiana. He was born to Lewis C. and Mazie Runnels on June 13, 1925 in Wichita, Kansas and graduated from Wichita High School North in 1942. He attended a summer session at WichitaContinue Reading

John Wells left a message on November 15, 2020:
What a great picture of your dad. I’ll always cherish the canoe trips down sugar creek with your dad. And the canoe races were special. Ice skating on the conservation club pond on Sunday afternoons were great, too. Until Lewie fell and bunged up his shoulder! Nancy probably said “what on earth were you thinking?” Really great memories with your family. Sorry for your loss but I know he is back with Nancy and will be happy forever now.
Lawrence Record, Lafayette, IN left a message on November 14, 2020:
On behalf of H.W. Record & Sons Farm, Crawfordsville, our condolences to the Runnels family upon the loss of Dr. Lewis Runnels. He served our farm in caring for our herds of swine and dairy cows during the 50's and 60's when he was in practice with Drs. Lidikay & Coltrain in Darlington. My brothers and I were kids in those days and were always amazed at all the medical equipment in Dr. Runnel's unique veterinarian truck. Our late father, Howard, highly admired the intelligence and insights of Dr. Runnels as they conversed upon his visits to our farm. He was a professional in the highest sense. I still have a letter received from Dr. Runnels in 2012 after your mother passed. He reflected on on his veterinarian years in Darlington as some of the best times of his life where Bruce and Paul attended the local school which is no longer there. He also remembered our not so friendly Chow dog and never exited his vehicle until she was secured. May God provide his comfort to your family as many in the in the farming and Purdue communities reflect on the professional career of your father.
Eddie and Beth Page left a message on November 14, 2020:
Bruce and Paul - We are saddened to learn of your father's passing. He was a dear friend to our family for many years. We will always fondly remember him as a kind, gentle soul with a smile on his face.
Rod Allrich left a message on November 14, 2020:
Lew was a wonderful person. Lew and I interacted in the 80s when I first started at Purdue. When I had swine research projects, he was always willing to provide helpful suggestions. There are people you will never forget once they are gone, Lew is one of those.
John & Barbara Amos left a message on November 13, 2020:
We will miss Lew as part of the Federated Church Family. Always enjoyed his humor when we visited him with Communion. He would share lots of stories of him & Nancy. Thinking of family with special thoughts at this time.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
W. Mark Hilton left a message on November 13, 2020:
Paul and Bruce and families, Your father was one of the best teachers in my tenure as a student. He was kind, patient, intelligent and caring. I felt very confident working with my swine producers when I joined my private practice in Iowa due to his guidance. When I came back to Purdue anytime I saw your father he would take time to ask how I was doing . . .and he really meant it. I tried to model his teaching during my career at Purdue because he had such a positive impact on my education along with thousands of other students. My prayers are with you all.
Marty Utley left a message on November 12, 2020:
Dear Hannah and Bruce, My deepest sympathy to both of you. I am so sorry to hear of your Grandpa/Dad's passing. God's blessings to all of you, Marty Utley
Mary Lou Weliever left a message on November 12, 2020:
Bruce, Paul, and Families, Please accept my sympathy in the loss of your Dad. He was a special person and I looked up to him with deep respect. I was in the first class he taught...I think I’ll always remember a lecture on wound healing. He was certainly a wonderful veterinarian as well as human being! ?
Kurt and Julie (Page) Schleck left a message on November 12, 2020:
Bruce and Paul, We are saddened to see Dr Runnels obituary and read of his passing. He was truly a gentleman and a loyal friend. We saw Janet Stockton Hager earlier this year and we relived many memories of shared times with your parents and the Pages and the Stocktons. We celebrate his life well lived and his love of his many canoe trips with you both.
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Show More