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Clair E. Runkle, 79 of New Oxford, formerly of Dallastown, passed away peacefully at the Cross Keys Village –The Brethren Home Community on Saturday, January 19. He was the beloved wife of the late Phyllis A. (Raffensberger).

Mr. Runkle was born in Felton on June 26, 1939 and was the son of the late Elias "Mitch" and Mazie (Anstine) Runkle.

Clair attended Red Lion High School and received his GED while proudly serving in the United States Marine Corps. Clair was stationed on the USS Bradford out of Camp Pendleton in California. He was working as a welder on the destroyer and was helping to decommission the vessel when it was ordered to the Bay of Pigs during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Clair retired from PCC, formerly Allis-Chalmers, as a quality control inspector after many years of service. He was a member of the Dallastown American Legion Post 605 where he served as past Commander. He enjoyed military history, golfing, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR and attending races.

He is survived by his daughters, Joan Snyder and her husband Kim of Stewartstown, and Linda Latterman and her husband Daniel of Dallastown; four grandchildren, C. Michael Wrinkle and his wife Palme, Katherine Snyder, Karoline Snyder, and Teri Latterman; two great grandchildren, Audrey Wrinkle and Josslyn Wrinkle. He is also survived by a son-in-law, Rich Folcomer; brother, Robert Runkle; sister, Carlene Leighty; as well as many nieces and nephews.   In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Folcomer; a grandson, USMC Sgt. Christopher Wrinkle and a sister, Althea Miller.

A funeral service to honor Clair's life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 26, at the             Austin H. Eberly Funeral Home, Inc., 104 W. Main St., Dallastown, with Pastor Patti Bream officiating. A viewing will take place at the funeral home on Saturday and will begin at 9:00 AM until the start of the service. Interment will follow in Mount Rose Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Keystone Wounded Warrior Project, 16 E. Noble Ave., PO Box 307, Shoemakersville, PA 19555 or to the Dallastown American Legion Post 605.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Cross Keys Village and Compassionate Care Hospice.