Curtis W. Runkel

Celebration of his Life services will be at 2:00 P.M. Sunday at the Zion Evangelical UCC Church, 3001 Veronica Ct. St. Joseph. Visitation will be Saturday from 3:00- 5:00 P.M. at the church. Memorials may be made to Zion Evangelical UCC Church or to the Runkel Family (to benefit the autistic needs of his grandson Matthew). Family is being served by Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home 2650 Niles Road St. Joseph. Rev. Runkel was born on September 28, 1925 to Benjamin and Cora (Bertke) Runkel in Port Washington Wisconsin. Graduating from high school in 1943, he joined the Navy, and served on a destroyer as a torpedoman. Upon discharge he returned to school and graduated from Mission House Seminary in 1952. After ordination Curt served First Congregational Church of Hartford, WI; Somers Community UCC in Wisconsin; Zion Evangelical UCC of St. Joseph where he was named Pastor Emeritus at his retirement and St. John?s UCC in Three Oaks MI. He thoroughly enjoyed the ministry, loved preaching and was a compassionate and caring pastor. On July 31, 1954 he and Elizabeth Joy Sterman were joined in marriage. She joined him in ministry and together they formed a most effective team. He is survived by his wife; two daughters Rachel (Thomas) Arentsen of Hales Corners, WI and Ruth (Stephen) Carlson of Bristol, IN; five grandchildren Kristina Kennedy, Karolyn Kennedy, Jordan Arentsen, Breann Arentsen, Matthew Arentsen; two brothers John (Gladys) Runkel and Paul (Jean) Runkel. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Benjamin Jr. and a sister Janet Lamping