Eleanor R. Haltom
COLUMBUS
Eleanor “Nonie” Runcie Haltom passed from this life on Monday, July 12, 2021 at the age of 99 due to complications from several recent illnesses, despite being very healthy all her life until the age of 98. Eleanor loved deeply and was loved by everyone she met. Always wanting to give of herself, she volunteered wherever she lived; throughout New Jersey, Corpus Christi, TX, and her final home in Columbus, IN where she resided with her daughter, Holly Haltom Melillo & son-in-law, Lou Melillo, since 2006.
Always a leader, Eleanor had been a deacon and an elder in the Presbyterian church, which meant the world to her. It was at her church in Red Bank, NJ in 1988 that she planned and executed a memorial garden next to the chapel. Her husband of 60 years, Hollis Haltom, built the benches that are in that very garden and their son-in-law, Barry Shank, installed the benches. Even more significantly, it is under one of those benches that Hollis’ ashes are scattered and per her wishes, we will scatter her ashes under that same bench.
While in Rumson, NJ, all those years ago, Eleanor taught Sunday school and vacation bible school, was a member of Mary’s Circle of Friends, trained and worked as a Steven’s Minister, and did many hospital visitations for those in need. In 1990 she traveled to Europe with her church choir and was a member of the Silver Tones choir in Columbus. She always liked to say, “I could sing; not well, but joyously!”
In 2019 she became a 50-year member of PEO, a philanthropic and educational organization for women, belonging to chapters in New Jersey, Texas, and Indiana. While in New Jersey, she served as the chapter president for 2 years. She volunteered at Love Chapel in Columbus, IN until she was 93 years old. She was also a life member of SSYC (Shrewsbury Sailing & Yacht Club in Shrewsbury, NJ) where, in 1983, she became their very first female commadore which also made her the first in the state. What an accomplishment!
When she moved to Columbus at age 84, her daughter convinced her to try her hand at oil painting and she became quite the artist. She painted numerous paintings and cards for friends and family over the years. Eleanor was also very well known for her knitting and sewing skills. She crocheted wedding throw blankets for all the brides in her family and others, knitted Christmas stockings for all her children, grandchildren, and most of her great-grandchildren, made most of her own clothes, her children’s clothes, countless coats & sweaters for various family members, and even her daughter’s wedding gown. Eventually, at the ripe young age of 80, she started her own sewing business called “Keep Me in Stitches” by Nonie. This business kept her quite busy and brought in some extra spending money but, ever the social butterfly, she just loved that the business allowed her to meet new people.
What many do not know about Eleanor was that she considered herself a tomboy. She was very athletic from a young age; playing tennis, swimming, sailing and even played baseball & football, which was unheard of in her day. She loved taking daily walks and enjoyed going to the gym several times a week well into her 90’s. She even took up playing pickleball in her late 80’s at Mill Race Center in Columbus, but finally decided it was time to quit (she was well into her 90’s by this point) after falling flat on her face during a match.
Eleanor was a remarkable woman in every single way. She made a positive and resounding impact on every single person she met, and she will be sorely missed by all that new her, especially by her family. Rest in peace, our sweet Nonie.
Eleanor was born on February 26, 1922, in Orange, NJ to Cecile Dennis Runcie & William Thackery Runcie. She was preceded in death by her parents, her 4 siblings, her beloved husband, Hollis, her daughter, Laurie, and her great-grandson, Jacob Jackson.
She is survived by her daughter, Holly (Lou) Melillo of Columbus, IN, her son Guy (Jody) Haltom of Vidalia, GA, her 8 grandchildren, Deneb (Brett) Carpenter of Columbus, IN, Adrian (Jenn) Melillo of Riverside, CA, Jessica (Damien) Douglas of Princeton, TX, Hunter Shank of Corpus Christi, TX, Lyndsay (Sam) Jackson of Corpus Christi, TX, Scott (Nicole) Shank of Corpus Christi, TX, Cody Haltom of Vidalia, GA & Laurie Paige Haltom of Vidalia, GA, as well as 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held for Eleanor at 1:00 p.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Felipe Martinez officiating. Following the memorial service Friday, there will be a Celebration of Life service held at 3:30 p.m. at Mill Race Center. In keeping with Eleanor’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Haltom family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaver.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home.
