SOMMERSET, Ohio — Stuart Luke Runkel, 87, of Somerset, passed away at 10:05 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at his residence. Stuart was born February 6, 1931 in Marietta, Ohio to the late Samuel Luke and Violet Alspach Runkel. He was educated in Marietta City Schools and graduated high school in 1949. After several temporary jobs, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and in November of 1950 he was sent to Great Lakes Training Center.

On August 26, 1951 he married Ruth Masters and they resided in Corpus Christi, Texas. Later, Stuart was assigned to sea duty where he spent several months in the Mediterranean aboard the U.S.S. Randolph aircraft carrier. He was honorably discharged in 1954. Stuart and Ruth returned to Marietta where he went to work at the Times Company, first as a pressman and later as circulation manager. Stuart long admired the Ohio State Patrol and in 1964 at the age of 33, he entered the Patrol Academy. His tenure with the Patrol lasted 14 years, followed by 14 years as Security Manager for The Limited, Inc. Stuart also loved farm work and helped farmers whenever he could. Together he and Ruth built their home near Glenford, Ohio, where they lived for 33 years. Stuart is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Runkel; sons, John and Debbie (Cannon) Runkel of Cridersville, OH and Mike Runkel of Thornville; daughter, Pamela (Rodney) Philipps of Granville; eight grandchildren, Sean (Amy) Runkel, Scott (Emily) Runkel, Staci (Zack) Bordner, Whitney Philipps, Collin Philipps, Jessica Runkel, Benjamin Runkel and Stuart M. Runkel; as well as four great-grandsons, Andrew and Graham Runkel and Camden and Owen Bordner.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Carolyn Louise Runkel and a brother, James Alspach Runkel. Services were held in Sommerset on June 30, with Pastor C. Don Ferrill officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Vitas Hospice or to Central Ohio Hospice. Bope-Thomas Funeral Home in Somerset is entrusted with the arrangements. www.bopethomasfuneralhome.com