William C. "Bill" Runkle

About

Sandusky High School

William Runkle Obituary

RUNKLE William C. "Bill" William C. "Bill" Runkle, age 79, of Bryan, Ohio, died at 12:20 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2009, at Bryan Care and Rehabilitation Center, Bryan, Ohio, where he was a patient. Mr. Runkle was a 1947 graduate of Sandusky High School and was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in Korea from 1951-1952. A plumber by trade, Mr. Runkle moved to Bryan in 1956 and began working for Calvin and Gotshall Plumbing and Heating into the early 60s. In 1963, he started Runkle Plumbing and Heating in Bryan and continued this business until 1981. During this time he also worked for Anderson-Vreeland from 1966-1972. He was an assistant scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 131 in the 1960s and 1970s and served with the Bryan Police Reserves in the 1970s. He was a member of the Bryan City Council from 1974-1977, serving as its president in 1977. He was then elected mayor of Bryan in 1978 and served in that capacity for twenty-four years, retiring in 2001. As mayor, he traveled thousands of miles with his trademark Dum Dum suckers in his pocket and brought millions of dollars to Bryan for city improvements. During his tenure as mayor, he married 1,264 couples, was a member of the Williams County Mayors Association and the Ohio State Mayors Association, of which he served as president for one year. He served as Trustee for two years with the Ohio Municipal League and was past Vice President and Vice Chairman of the Retired Ohio Municipal Electric Association. He was also a member of the Maumee Planning Organization Association, serving as vice chairman for eleven years. Mr. Runkle was a member of the First Church of Christ in Bryan, where he served as an elder and deacon for many years. He was a life member of the Bryan VFW Post #2489 and AmVets Post #94 and was a 50-year member and Past Commander of Bryan American Legion Post #284. He was a past member of the Bryan Moose Lodge #1004 and Bryan Eagles, Aerie #2233. William C. Runkle was born on October 13, 1929, in Green Springs, Ohio, the son of Stanley and Viola (Robinson) Runkle. He married Marvel Ernsberger on June 6, 1953, in Bryan, Ohio, and she preceded him in death in 1994. Mr. Runkle is survived by two sons, Kenneth M. (Kay) Runkle, of Powell, Ohio, and David W. (Pamela) Runkle, of Catonsville, Maryland; one daughter, Catherine E. Shell, of Bryan, Ohio; his grandchildren, Joshua, Mary, Christine and Anna Runkle, Amber (Sam) Grammar, Laura (Jason) Jordan, Emily (Christopher) Hogsten, Meredith Runkle, Anthony Shell and Chad Stantz and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are one brother, Tom Runkle; three sisters, Pat VanDooting, Margaret "Peg" Kaufman and Sally Brennan, all of Sandusky, Ohio. Visitation for William C. Runkle will be held on Friday, October 2, 2009, from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio. Services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. in the First Church of Christ, Bryan, Ohio, with Pastor Jon List officiating. Interment will follow in Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan with grave side military rites conducted by VFW Post #2489. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be given to Bryan Parks and Recreation, Mayor Runkle Memorial Clock Fund. Condolences may be sent to and the online register signed at www.krillfuneralservice.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Blade on Sep. 30, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for William Runkle

4 Entries

Elizabeth & Mike Roland

October 7, 2009

I want to send a special thanks to all that were involved in my uncle's funeral. It was a beautiful way to honor his life. The military honors and the never-ending story-telling truly made those two days very special, and helped to heal our feelings of loss.

What a special man, Uncle Runkle! God bless him and those that are enjoying his stories now up in heaven!

October 1, 2009

Ken, Kay, and Family,

I heard about your Dad's passing Ken and wanted to pass along our sympathy. Your Dad was a special man who was loved by all whose lives he touched. What would Bryan, OH have done all these years without him, especially his years as mayor?

It was a privilege to have met him and to get to know him. I will always remember his kindness and warm spirit.

Please pass along our condolences to David and his family also. You're all in our thoughts and prayers.

Carla & David Hendry

Lew and Darla Eagy

September 30, 2009

Uncle Runkle, Bill, has been one of our favorite friends since the early 70's. We went with he and Marvel to a Spirit filled conference many years ago and enjoyed the two of them so much. Over the years when we got to see Bill, we knew that he was so special..a true man of God. Now he and Marvel are together once again and they can enjoy our Jesus face to face and not just in spirit. What a guy he was. One day we'll see him again...and it could be sooner than we know.

Blessings to his family, and peace during this time that only our Lord can give. Lew and Darla Eagy

September 30, 2009

From Wauseon,retired mayor Matheny has a tear reading Runk's Obit. We spent time together on many projects,we represented 15 counties
from NOMMA,our mayors group. When the flood hit Bryan, Runk cried
as I offered equipment to help him out. We talked, cried over things that he felt ,as I ,that we wanted to give to our people. I made 12 years before my heart said "stop"...Runk went to Florida the first year after he retired and brought me pictures to show his GOOD TIME...He was like a brother when it came to being mayors. His family as his wife was very proud of his service to the people. See you in the future,Runk.....
Jerry G Matheny

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results