Earl A. Runkel II of the Avenel section of Woodbridge Township passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at home. He was 72 years old.

Born in South Amboy, he has resided in Avenel for the past 60 years.

Mr. Runkel served in the United States Army.

He was employed as a Hazards Material Shipping Agent with United Airlines for 30 years and then as a School Bus Driver with the Woodbridge Township Board of Education for 12 years, retiring in July 2016.

Earl served as Santa Claus for Woodbridge Township for the past 25 years at the Christmas Parade and other Township events as well as for many organizations and families.

Mr. Runkel was a Life Member of Avenel Fire Company #1, serving as President in 1979 & 1980 and Chief in 1987 & 1994. He was a Fire Commissioner for Avenel Fire District #5 from 1996 until October of 2016; was a member of the Woodbridge Township Fire Officers Association, serving as president in 1998-1999 and 2014-2015; and was a member of the Avenel V.F.W. Men's Auxiliary.

He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Zullo Runkel, in 2015; his parents Earl A. Runkel and Evelyn Sutter Runkel; and a sister, Lynn Muccilli.

He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Raike, and her husband, Brian, of Keansburg; two sons, Earl A. Runkel II and his girlfriend, Erica, of Avenel and Jonathan Runkel of Port Charlotte, FL; four grandchildren, William Moran, Cheryl Ankudovich, Shaun Moran and Anthony Moran; and a great-grandchild, Aubriella Ankudovich.

Funeral services will take place on Sunday, January 1, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at Costello-Koyen Funeral Home ( www.costello-koyen.com ), 399 Avenel Street, Avenel. Cremation will be private. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Avenel Fire Company #1, 346 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001.