Runkel Rea Nolan Jr.

Runkel Rea Nolan Jr died March 5, 2025 at 2:30 pm. He died at home with family members at his side. He was born on June 30, 1933 in Trenton, NJ. to Mildred Forker and Runkel Rea Nolan and lived there until he joined the Air Force in 1952. In 1956 while serving in Saulte St. Marie, Michigan he met and married Joan Sharpe and adopted her two children Christine and Gary. Runkel and Joan had four children together; Runkel Nolan III, Tim, Cindy and Robin. Runkel was very proud of his military service and was sent to Vietnam from 1967-1968. After suffering a heart attack he was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1975. He then attended Rider College and received a degree in Business Management. He worked for the Post Office for 15 years. His wife Joan died in 1988 after 32 years of marriage. In October of 1991 he met Lynda Sweerus on a blind date. They were married 10 months later and they were married for 32 years until his death at 91. He and Lynda loved old cars and owned several including a Delorean, a 1968 Mercedes 250 SL and a Corvette. They traveled all over for car shows. They loved Disney World and traveled there often. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Toms River Elks Lodge 1875. He was a convincing Santa Claus and loved doing it for friends, family, and multiple charities. Runkel’s kindness, strength and love for his family will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him. He will be missed terribly.

A celebration of Runkel’s life will be private and he will be interred at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery in North Hanover twp., NJ

In Memory of Runkel, the family respectfully request considering a donation to the Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, NJ or to The Joshua Huddy Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 33 Cancun Street, Toms River, NJ 08757