Unruh, David B. (1877-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 May 9 p. 8

Birth date: 1877 Feb 11

text of obituary:

DAVID B. UNRUH

David B. Unruh, son of Peter and Lena Koehn Unruh, was born in McPherson County, Kansas on Feb. 11, 1877. The Lord called him to his eternal home on Feb. 16, 1963 at the age of 86 years and five days.

Father's childhood days were spent in Kansas. When his brother Henry decided to move to the Meno, Okla. community he came along and worked for his brother although he was quite young at the time. He made about ten trips to Kansas with horses and wagon and these experiences were often related to those who visited him. Three Unruh brothers, Cornelius, John and our father built a flour mill in Meno which they operated for a number of years. He and Ben Decker also made a trip by train to Mexico with a load of cattle under the auspices of the church. Father worked diligently for his family, the church and the Oklahoma Bible Academy.

On Dec. 1, 1895 he was baptized upon his confession of faith and received into the New Hopedale Mennonite Church of which he remained a faithful member.

On Feb. 8, 1903 he was united in marriage to Carolina (Ratzlaff) Unruh. In 1948 they moved to town from a lifelong occupation of farming . In 1953 they had the privilege of sharing their golden wedding anniversary. Mother preceded father in death in 1954.

Father will be remembered as a faithful member of the church and a loyal follower of Christ. He served the church in a variety of ways. He was a deacon for a period of years, and a Sunday School teacher until the last two years. He was song leader of the church and choir before the days of accompanists. He loved to sing and spent much of his spare time with the World of god and the hymn book.

Father remained healthy and quite active until the last four months. Up to this time he kept his home and prepared his own meals. He had a few light strokes but he kept his spirit up and continued to move about. In December he was admitted to a home in Enid where he received good care and was well liked. After one and a half months he was admitted to the Memorial Hospital where he departed from this life.

Father closes the family book of his brothers and sisters and his wife's family. Only one sister-in-law, Mrs. John Unruh remains.

David B. Unruh leaves behind five children. Leslie and wife Katie of Wichita, Kan., Alpha and wife Almeda of Lahoma, Okla, Mrs. Margaret Nickel of Clinton, Okla., Rebecca and husband Walter Reimer of Medford, Okla., Rudolph and wife Martha of Meno, Okla. 20 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

Preceeding [sic] him in death were his parents, his wife, one grandchild; three sisters, Susie (Mrs. David Wedel), Lena (Mrs. Jacob Eck), and Lizzee (Mrs. Gus Koehn); and four brothers, Henry, Cornelius, Jacob and John Unruh.

Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Feb 19, 1963, in the New Hopedale Mennonite Church, Meno. Rev. Ben Friesen, pastor, officiated. Burial was made in the New Hopedale Cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1963 Jun 18 p. 415