- Date Of Birth: January 2, 1927
- Date Of Death: September 17, 2017
- State: Illinois
Kenneth E. “Kenny” Runkel, 90, of Jacksonville, IL died Sunday, September 17, 2017, at Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Jacksonville.
He was born January 2, 1927 in Jacksonville, the son of Frederick William and Nora Frances Shade Runkel. He married Betty J. (Smith) Gilbert on January 16, 1962 in Jacksonville and she preceded him in death on January 29, 1991.
He is survived by four children, Larry Gilbert (wife, Jean) of Anderson, IN, and Ron Gilbert (wife, Judy), Mary Jane Esslinger (husband, Steve), and Tina Runkel (husband, William Pollard), all of Jacksonville; three grandchildren, Rhonda Gilbert, Brent Esslinger, and Kyle Esslinger; two great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Mark Gilbert and four brothers, Charles P., Alfred, Robert and Fred Runkel.
Kenny attended Jacksonville High School and left school to join the military. He served with the US Navy from 1945-1946 aboard the USS Batetourt and the USS Latimer. He was later employed at Mobil Chemical in Jacksonville for 20 years.
He was a life member of both the Amvets Post #100 and VFW Post #1379. He participated in providing military honors for fellow veterans as a volunteer with the Combined Veterans Ceremonial Team. In his spare time, he enjoyed golf, bowling, and rooting for the Chicago Cubs.
