Richard Roy Runkles, 76, of East Palestine, died at 9:50 AM on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at the Covington Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in East Palestine, Ohio.

He was born February 15, 1947, in Frederick, Maryland, son the of late Roy and Margaret (Diamond) Runkles.

Richard grew up in Western Pennsylvania, graduating from West Allegheny High School in Imperial, PA. He joined the United States Army in 1967 during the Vietnam war and was honorably discharged in 1972. Richard worked for the Pennsylvania State Highway Department (PennDOT) as a welder and also worked for J&L Welding. His family was very important to him and he spent as much time as he could with them. In his free time, Richard enjoyed fishing and sitting back, relaxing and bending his elbow. He especially loved to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Richard was a free spirit and lived his life to the fullest and enjoyed it, even if others may not have agreed with it.

He is survived by his children; Adam Runkles of Elwood City, PA, Margaret Runkles of Alliquippa, PA, Matthew (Karen) Runkles of East Palestine, OH, Jennifer Sherrill of Arizona, Betty Runkles of New Middletown, OH, and Michelle Runkles of Enon Valley, PA.

There are no services at this time.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Greenisen family at the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services of Salem.