James J. Runkel

February 27, 1951 – September 15, 2022

Mount Pleasant – James John Runkel, age 71, passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2022.

Jim was born in Racine to the late James and Shirley (nee: Lamers) Runkel on February 27, 1951. Jim faithfully served our country with the United States Air Force. On April 10, 1976 he was united in marriage with Paulette Hansen. He was employed 41 years as a Research and Development Technician with SC Johnson. In his teenage years, Jim traveled to his favorite Florida, where he learned scuba diving. He returned to Florida with his family for many vacations to come. Jim was a 2 ^nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, in which the entire family enjoyed doing together. He was a long-time ham radio operator. His love for technology was passed on to his son, Cory and grandson, Tyler who will now take it from here. Last but not least, he was a TV and movie buff, and thoroughly enjoyed SCI-FI. He watched Guardian of the Galaxy at least 100 times! But his all-time favorite was STAR-TREK. If he were here to tell you one thing, he would say "Live Long & Prosper."

Surviving are his loving wife, Paulette; son, Cory; grandson, Tyler; brothers, Kimmer and Thomas Runkel, sister, Nancy (William) Collentine; sisters and brothers-in-law, Christine (Lynn) Enslin, Ellen (Joe) Muller, Steve (Jennifer) Hansen. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Shirley Runkel; brother, Timothy Runkel; Myron Hansen, father-in-law and Catherine Hansen, mother-in-law.

Celebration of Life for Jim will be held on Monday, September 26, 2022 from 3:30PM – 5:30PM at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, finishing with a time of sharing of Jim's memories. Military honors will follow.