Person Page - 5

     Rena Annie Eastham was born on 8 August 1916 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.¹ She married Ira Owen Mjelde on 17 December 1941 in Kootenai County, Idaho, USA.¹ She married John Alexander Burness, son of John Masson Burness and Henrietta Deas, on 24 September 1956 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.² She died on 28 April 2004 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at age 87.¹
     Obituary: BURNESS Rena Annie 1916 - 2004 Rena was born in Vancouver, B.C. on August 8, 1916 and passed away in her home on April 28, 2004. Her parents were Charles Stanley and Florence Eastham. She is survived by her sister Doris Galbraith, her brother-in-law, G.H. Curly Galbraith, and their children, Sharon of Seattle, Stan of Edmonton, Roger of Calgary and Brian of Barrie, Ont. She attended St. Mary's High School in Calgary and upon graduation went to Minneapolis to train as a Laboratory Technician. She pursued this career in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where she met and married Ira Mjelde. Upon his death she returned to Calgary. She worked several years for Canadian Superior Oil Ltd. in Calgary. In 1956 she married John Burness, proprietor of Burness Hardware. Upon his retirement they moved to Vancouver where they spent seventeen happy years. They returned to Calgary in 1994 to be near their family. John passed away on December 25, 2001. Rena has been a life-long member of First Baptist Church and was a devout Christian. Her greatest pleasure was in assisting and caring for others. A Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Church, 13 Avenue and 4 Street West at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 17. In lieu of flowers it is suggested that donations be made to Operation Eyesight Universal, 4 Parkdale Crescent N.W., Calgary, T2N 3T8.¹

     George Wilson Runnels was born on 12 June 1874 in Logan Township, Dearborn County, Indiana, USA.^1,2,3 He was the son of Alfred S. Runnels and Sarah Ann Morgan.^2,3,4,5,6 He married Mary Myrtle Hamill, daughter of William Hamill and Katharine A. Hoffman, on 7 May 1913 in 1262 High Street, Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, USA.^2,7,1 He died on 17 May 1962 in Stouder Memorial Hospital, Troy, Ohio, USA, at age 87.^3,8,1
     George Rumels (son, age 5) was enumerated in the census on 1 June 1880 in Harrison Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA, in the household of Alfred Rumels.⁴ George W. Runnels (son, age 25) was enumerated in the census on 6 June 1900 in 38 Richmond Avenue, Richmond, Indiana, USA, in the household of Alferd Runnels. He was a railraod fireman.⁵ George Runnels (son, age 35) was enumerated in the census on 21 April 1910 in 38 Richmond Avenue, Richmond, Indiana, USA, in the household of Alfred Runnels. He was a locomotive engineer.⁶
     George W. Runnels was enumerated in the census on 2 January 1920 in 309 North 14th Street, Richmond, Indiana, USA, as a railroad engineer, age 45 with Myrtle M. Runnels, Sarah J. Runnels and Pearl L. Runnels in his household.⁹
     George W. Runnels was enumerated in the census on 1 April 1930 in 309 North 14th Street, Richmond, Indiana, USA, as a steam railroad engineer age 55, owning his home valued at $4500 with Myrtle M. Runnels, Jeanette S. Runnels, Pearl L. Runnels, Margaret J. Runnels and Sarah A. Runnels in his household.¹⁰
     George W. Runnells was enumerated in the census on 18 April 1940 in 309 North 14th Street, Richmond, Indiana, USA, as unable to work, age 65 with Mary Runnells and Jeannette Starr in his household.¹¹
     Obituary: George Runnels, 87 years old, a resident of the Westcott hotel, died Thursday morning. He had lived the past six weeks with a daughter, Mrs. Ralph Starr at Troy, Ohio. Mr. Runnels was retired from the Pennsylvania Railroad company in 1939 where he had been employed 50 years. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and a 55-year member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Richmond. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Starr and Mrs. Gordon Burness of Ottawa, Canada, and four grandchildren. Services for Mr. Runnels will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Klute, Beach & Henry funeral home. Burial will be in Earlham cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 3 p.m. Friday.⁸

     Mary Myrtle Hamill was born on 3 August 1880 in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, USA.^2,1,3 She was the daughter of William Hamill and Katharine A. Hoffman.^2,1,3,4 She married George Wilson Runnels, son of Alfred S. Runnels and Sarah Ann Morgan, on 7 May 1913 in 1262 High Street, Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, USA.^1,5,6 She died on 31 March 1957 in 1588 Sussex Road, Troy, Miami County, Ohio, USA, at age 76.^3,7
     Myrtle Hamill (daughter, age 19) was enumerated in the census on 12 June 1900 in 549 High Street, Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, USA, in the household of William Hamill.⁴
     Mirtle Hamill was enumerated in the census on 18 April 1910 in 701 High Street, Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, USA, as a boarder and paper company stenographer, age 29.⁸ Myrtle M. Runnels (wife, age 40) was enumerated in the census on 2 January 1920 in 309 North 14th Street, Richmond, Indiana, USA, in the household of George W. Runnels.⁹ Myrtle M. Runnels (wife, age 49) was enumerated in the census on 1 April 1930 in 309 North 14th Street, Richmond, Indiana, USA, in the household of George W. Runnels.¹⁰ Mary Runnells (wife, age 59) was enumerated in the census on 18 April 1940 in 309 North 14th Street, Richmond, Indiana, USA, in the household of George W. Runnells.¹¹
     Mary Myrtle Hamill received a bequest in the will of Mary A. Hamill on 23 July 1904.¹²
     Obituary: Mrs. Myrtle Runnels, 76 years old, died Sunday morning. She was born in Hamilton, Ohio, and had resided Richmond for several years before moving to Troy, Ohio, two years ago where she lived with a daughter, Mrs. Ralph Starr, 1588 Sussex road. Mrs. Runnels was a member of Central Methodist church. Survivors include the husband, George Runnels; two daughters, Mrs. Gordon Burness of Ottawa, Canada, and Mrs. Starr of Troy; three sisters, Mrs. A. E. Baur of Richmond, Miss Opal Hamill and Mrs. Lucille Root, both of Cincinnati; four grandchildren. Funeral services for Mrs. Runnels will be held Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at the Klute-Beach-Henry funeral home, with Rev. Robert W. Fribley officiating. Burial will be in Earlham cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday after 2 p.m.⁷

     Sarah Jeannette Runnels was born on 6 January 1915 in 215 Randolph Street, Richmond, Indiana, USA.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of George Wilson Runnels and Mary Myrtle Hamill.^1,2,4,5,6 She married Ralph Eugene Starr on 19 August 1939 in First Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Indiana, USA.^2,7 She died on 18 August 1981 in Troy, Ohio, USA, at age 66.^8,3 She was buried in Forest Hills Memorial Gardens, Vandalia, Montgomery County, Ohio, USA.^9,8
     Sarah J. Runnels (daughter, age 4 years 11 months) was enumerated in the census on 2 January 1920 in 309 North 14th Street, Richmond, Indiana, USA, in the household of George W. Runnels.⁴ Jeanette S. Runnels (daughter, age 15) was enumerated in the census on 1 April 1930 in 309 North 14th Street, Richmond, Indiana, USA, in the household of George W. Runnels.⁵ Jeannette Starr (daughter, age 25) was enumerated in the census on 18 April 1940 in 309 North 14th Street, Richmond, Indiana, USA, in the household of George W. Runnells. She was a public health nurse.⁶

     Ralph Eugene Starr was born on 31 May 1913 in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Indiana, USA.^1,2,3 He married Sarah Jeannette Runnels, daughter of George Wilson Runnels and Mary Myrtle Hamill, on 19 August 1939 in First Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Indiana, USA.^2,4 He died on 11 December 1980 in Troy, Ohio, USA, at age 67.^5,3 He was buried in Forest Hills Memorial Gardens, Vandalia, Montgomery County, Ohio, USA.⁶
     Ralph E. Starr (son, age 6) was enumerated in the census on 2 January 1920 in Wayne Township, Wayne County, Indiana, USA, in the household of Joel Starr.⁷ Ralph E. Starr (son, age 16) was enumerated in the census on 24 April 1930 in 319 West Main Street, Richmond, Indiana, USA, in the household of Anna Starr.⁸
     Ralph Starr was enumerated in the census on 15 April 1940 in 12 Lafayette Street, Dayton, Ohio, USA, as an adding machine company manager, age 27.⁹

     Philip Brooks Starr is the son of Ralph Eugene Starr and Sarah Jeannette Runnels.^2,1

     Richard Alan Starr is the son of Ralph Eugene Starr and Sarah Jeannette Runnels.¹

     Gregory Pierce Starr is the son of Philip Brooks Starr and Sandra Louise Marks.¹

     John Burness was born in September 1831 in Mulloch, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland.^1,2 He was the son of Alexander Burness and Margaret Masson.^1,3,2 He was baptized on 16 September 1831 in Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland.¹ He married Christian Gordon, daughter of John Gordon and Janet Marshall, on 20 June 1863 in Port Elphinstone, Kintore, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.^3,2 He died on 11 September 1924 in Crossroads, Grange, Banffshire, Scotland.²
     John Burness (age 9) was enumerated in the census on 6 June 1841 in Mulloch, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of John Masson. He was an agricultural labourer.⁴ John Burness (servant, age 19) was enumerated in the census on 31 March 1851 in Eslie, Banchory-Ternan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the household of John Mason. He was an agricultural labourer.⁵
     John Burness was enumerated in the census on 8 April 1861 in Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as a saddler, age 27, lodging in household of Isabella Malcolm, widow of crofter.⁶
     John Burness was enumerated in the census on 3 April 1871 in Walnut Cottage, Chapelbrae, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as a saddler, age 39, employing one boy with Christian Burness, Jessie Burness and Jane Burness in his household. His house had three rooms with windows.⁷
     John Burness was enumerated in the census on 4 April 1881 in Lilac Bank Cottage, Bath Street, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, as a master saddler, age 49, employing one boy with Christian Burness, John Masson Burness, Jessie Burness, Jane Burness and Ann Gordon Burness in his household.⁸
     John Burness was enumerated in the census on 5 April 1891 in 18 Forteath Street, Elgin, Moray, Scotland, as a saddler, age 59, working on own account with Christina G. Burness and Ann G. Burness in his household. His house had five rooms with windows. There were two lodgers: Isabella Clark, dressmaker age 23, and Jessie Fraser, milliner age 21.⁹
     John Burness was enumerated in the census on 31 March 1901 in Hall Place, Elgin, Moray, Scotland, as a saddler, age 69 with Christina G. Burness in his household.¹⁰
     John Burness was enumerated in the census on 2 April 1911 in Crossroads, Grange, Banffshire, Scotland, as a retired saddler, age 79, with Christian Burness in his household.¹¹
     He made a will on 16 February 1923 leaving his estate (later valued at 1447 pounds, 11 shillings, 9 pence) as follows: monies on deposit at North of Scotland Bank (about 202 pounds) to be used to pay all debts and "whatever is left over of these monies to be divided equally among all my grandchildren"; and for balance of estate: "one hundred pounds sterling to my daughter Jessie Burness or Clark and one hundred pounds sterling to my daughter Annie Gordon Burness or Henderson. I have already given more than one hundred pounds sterling to my son John Masson Burness. After these two legacies are paid that the residue be equally divided amongst my three surviving children".¹²