Obituary of George Runkle

George Freeman Runkle was born in Toledo, Ohio on August 2, 1946. He was the son of the late Charles Freeman Runkle and Merle Grace Nelson. George married his wife Kathleen Jones on May 23, 1992. He served his country honorably in the United States Army achieving the rank of Sargent. George supported his family as a fabricator/welder working for Champion Spark Plug and Glass Tech for over thirty-five years. In his recent past he was a semi-driver employed through PTL Logistics. He was a Mason and a member of the VFW Toledo Post. George was also a member at the Riverview Yacht Club and spent a lot of time at Lost Peninsula Marina. George loved spending time in the great outdoors boating, fishing and hunting. One of his favorite places was the cottage in Neebish Island where he made many happy memories with this family. George was a man with a big heart. He was always there for people when it mattered. He could be full of surprises which is a quality that drew people to him. George was a good father, husband and friend. George Freeman Runkle age 67 of Temperance, passed away at home on Sunday, April 27, 2014. His passing was preceded by his father and a son: Rusty Fields To cherish his memory, George leaves his loving wife of twenty-one years: Kathleen; three daughters: Jennifer (Gerald) Belknap of Temperance, Rachel (Barry) Campbell of Erie and Rebekah (Bryan) Lilje of Toledo; a son: Matthew (Jennifer) Runkle of Vancouver, WA; a sister: Karen (Steven) Andrews; a brother: Russell (Kathryn) Runkle; eight grandchildren: Jessica, Nathan, Jonathan, Parker, Jordan, Connor, Hayden and Samuel Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at Merkle Funeral Service, 9156 Summit Street in Erie, Michigan (734)848-5185. A Celebration of His Life with take place at 11:00am on Friday, May 2, 2014 also at Merkle's with Diaconal Minister Nan Kramer from St. Paul's Methodist Church in Toledo officiating. Procession will follow to Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, Ohio for burial. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.