Gregory Runkle

Gregory Runkle

Early in life Greg suffered a seizure which left him challenged. He never complained always wore a smile: he was an encouragement to others and walked on the sunny side of life. To say Greg was active at Living Hope would be an understatement. He was a fisher of men and witnessed for the Lord. His ministry was the same as Barnabas ,whose name means Son of Encouragement. At ARC of Salem Co. he was nicknamed , Rhymin’ Simon. He loved the outdoors and camped everywhere from here to Canada. Education didn’t come easy to Greg, but he persevered: he earned his GED at 24 and an Associate’s Degree in Arts from Thomas Edison State College.rnWhile working as an aide for a learning disabled Saturday program he was attracted to a music teacher. She was also attracted by the sparkle in his eye. That teacher was his dear wife, Ruth. They married shortly after and they’ve been inseparable ever since. He is also survived by his mother, Emma Rae, a brother, Brian; 3 sisters: Suzanne Davis, Cynthia Sharp, and Louise Tufts and his extended family at Living Hope. Greg was pre-deceased by his father, William and sister, Diana King.rnCome celebrate 63 years of service to the Lord Friday 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. at Living Hope Worship Center, Center Square Road and School Lane, Logan Township, where there will be a service at noon. Interment Lake Park Cemetery, Swedesboro.rn

4 Comments

  1. patty boyce says:

    I have knowen Gregg for about 14 years him & his loving wife are forever friends with Aleasa Hogate and that is how I come to know gregg I would love to be like gregg in several ways he NEVER COMPLAINED about anything he was a life go getter I saw that through Gregg not long after I was intoduced to him & his wife he would always stop to talk to you in a store and he loved his lord everday his was a wonderful example of how people should love the lord I learned a lot about life through him when I was in company with him I know that he told me a lot stories about life and I was very greatful for that that helped me take life day by day and NEVER TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED he never did !!!! he was very greatful everyday !!! he always had a smile on his face if you we’re we’re having a bad day all you had to do was talk to gregg and your bad day was history !!!! he will be missed by all lives that he touched !!!! like I said I learned a lot about life from him !!! but the lord needed him more then we did !!! His wife will miss him every day but she has her lord to lean on to get her through dark days & great friends to !!!! I said to my self that the lord has now got a new angel that just got his first pair of wings !!!! they are well earned !!!!

  2. Aleasa Hogate says:

    Ruth and Greg have been a part of my life since the late 60’s early 70’s when they both worked in the Saturday morning Formative Play therapy program for learning disabled children. I watched them fall in love and live out that love with a devotion rarely seen. Through many difficult times their faith has been uplifting to others including me. God never makes mistakes, so we know God called Greg home at his appointed time. I can just visualize Greg walking in heaven upright with no difficulties and saying to myrnbeloved husband, who went to be with Jesus in 2009,rn”you see Joe, it’s God’s way or the highway” like he did so many times when he came to our home.rnrnI extend my love to Ruth, Rae and all the family.

  3. mark Hogate says:

    Mark has know Ruth since he was a little boy she used to baby sit for the hogate boys and that is how he grew to know Gregg mark said that he rode down to kings diminon in virginia in their chevelet mark said that he helped Ruth drive ruth gave Gregg money to buy a hat & a sub at kings diminion and he spent the money on a foot long sub and he had no money left to buy a hat and ruth said to gregg YOU ATE YOUR HAT and then he rode all roasters in the park after eating the foot long sub but he will be missed by friends and family until we meet again !!!

  4. Marcia Cocking says:

    My deepest sympathies to all the Runkle family. Main Street, Quinton and that big house bring back so many memories of childhood. What fun Cyndi and I had there, even when Greg was being a pain in the hind end big brother. Haven’t seen many of you in years but have many good memories. Hope to make the service on Friday night. We’ll see Greg again someday when we all go home to the Lord.