Emporia - Jerry "Mike" Runkle, 78, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Holiday Resorts, Emporia, Kansas.  He was born on January 16, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri.  He was adopted and raised by Jerry and Wilma (Michael) Runkle.

Mike grew up in Lamoni, Iowa, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Business & Economics from Graceland College.  He then served in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1970 as a Yeoman Third Class.  On June 6, 1970, Mike was united in marriage to Candace Kinart with whom they had two children, Eric and Tara.

In 1980, they moved to Emporia, Kansas where Mike worked for Safeway Pet Foods as a Manager of Shipping & Purchasing.  When Safeway closed, he began working for KCE Freight Company until his retirement.  While working full time and raising children, he served as a pastor for the Community of Christ Church and volunteered for the Special Olympics.

His real true passion was his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchild.  He followed them in sports, school activities, traveling, camping and even being ill over the years remained very close to them all.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Wilma Runkle.

Mike is survived by his wife Candace of 53 years, his son Eric (Cindy) Runkle of Stilwell, KS; his daughter Tara (Marck) Drennan of Emporia; his brother Alan (Susan) Sleder of Wichita; his two sisters Jane (Bruce) Kunz of Kansas City, Missouri; Jodi (John) Swander of DeSoto, KS; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild and one on the way.

A Memorial Celebration will be Saturday, September 30, 2023, from noon to 2:00pm at Centro Cristiano de Emporia Church, 902 Constitution Street, Emporia, KS. Contributions in memory of Mike may be made to Special Olympics, sent in c/o Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave, Lyndon, KS  66451.