Karl Runkle

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Karl Runkle, 57, on August 31, 2021, after a long and most courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gherig’s Disease).

Beloved husband of Lisa (nee Irving), loving father of Blake (Casey) and Evan, adored son of Nancy Hagan and Roger (Susan) Runkle, brother-in-law of Bruce Irving (Betty), Douglas Irving (April), Karin Jankowski, Glen Irving (Dodie), Kevin Irving (Brenda).

Karl was born on August 25, 1964 in Corpus Christie, TX , and grew up in a Navy family moving every 2-3 years. Many of his childhood summers were spent at his Grandparents home in Hudson Falls, NY, which is how he came to meet Lisa in 1984. He attended Woodham High School in Pensacola, FL and then Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, NY before graduating from SUNY Plattsburg with a degree in Marketing. Karl married the love of his life, Lisa, in 1989. They relocated to Cincinnati, and both ended up working at Cincinnati Financial for many years before Karl retired in 2018 and Lisa became his full-time caregiver.

Forced by ALS to accelerate their retirement plans Lisa and Karl traveled quite extensively during the first 3 years of his battle, including trips to Jamaica, Bahamas, Alaska, Hawaii, along with multiple trips to Disney World and Disneyland with their sons. A Dallas Cowboys fan since childhood, he realized a lifelong dream of attending a Cowboys game in Dallas at the AT&T Stadium.

Quick with a smile or a joke, anyone who knows him can tell you he had a very dry sense of humor and that he enjoyed life to its fullest. His extensive knowledge of music led him to be nicknamed “Casey Kasem”, as he was always able to tell you what year (and week!) a song was on the charts. He loved a clean car, and you could find him just about any weekend morning making sure the cars were spotless. He loved tennis, baseball and to travel the world.

Diagnosed with ALS January 13, 2016, Karl immediately choose to participate in several clinical trials, knowing that he would not be the one to benefit from doing so. He felt that anything he could do to promote awareness and research for this disease would be a way to give hope to others who will find themselves in this battle with ALS.

Karl is preceded in death by his sister Malia Hamby, uncle Donald Runkle and grandparents Gladys and Jim Vandemark.

The Runkle family would like to express their gratitude for all the angels on earth who helped to care for Karl during this past 18 months: Leeann, Ashley, and the devoted staff at Hospice of Hamilton North In-Patient Unit, with a special thanks to Emily (RN) who has been by their side since February 2020, and to Volunteer Richard Moore, who’s bond with Karl became that of a brother. The family could not have gotten through the battle without this angel army.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Inurnment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Karl’s name to Hospice of Hamilton and the Live Like Lou Foundation at www.Livelikelou.org

Mueller Funeral Home is honored to serve the Runkle Family.