Unruh, John William (1897-1981)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1982 Feb 11 p. 11

Birth date: 1897 Oct 2

text of obituary:

JOHN WILLIAM UNRUH

John W. Unruh, son of Peter P. and Anna Klassen Unruh, was born Oct. 2. 1897, and died peacefully in sleep Dec. 22, 1981, in the same home where he lived most of his life.

He was the youngest of six children, whose mother died when he was three. His father reared them faithfully in the fear and nurture of the Lord.

He attended public school, Goesaal (Kan.) Preparatory School and Bethel Academy. He taught public school for five years in the Goessel area. He later graduated from Bethel College, but rather than continue teaching he became a bank employee. When Franklin Roosevelt declared a bank holiday, his job was terminated and he entered private business. Later he was employed by Regier Loan and Abstract of Newton.

In his late teens he was baptized by P.H. Unruh at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church of Goessel, Kan.

Ha was married Aug. 27, 1931 to Wilma Rempel Schmidt, and they celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1981. The home was blessed with three children, John Robert of the home, Anna Beth (Mrs. Howard Christian) Birky and James Ray, who married Karen Dorothy Lee. Family relationships were very dose to his heart.

Church services were always a priority for him and it was a pleasure for him to teach Sunday school. He felt a need to be better equipped as a Bible teacher and moved to Dallas, Tex., where he attended Dallas Theological Seminary. He joined the Newton Bible Church in 1970.

He enjoyed ministering to people, especially the elderly in the various nursing homes in the area. He celebrated his 84th birthday in October with his sister Sara Schmidt of Hesston. He is also survived by his widow; a sister, Loise of Newton; the three children; and seven grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were P.H. Unruh, H.F. Unruh and Gussie Unruh.