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Unruh, Peter P. (1852-1939)
Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1939 Mar 28 p. 14
Birth date: 1852 Nov 11
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1939 Mar 8 p. 5
text of obituary:
. . .
— Death took one of the widely known pioneers of the Newton-Goessel community at about 12:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon when the aged P. P. Unruh, 86, passed away at his home on 404 East Ninth street. A man of wide experience and interests, he made many friends in Newton among whom were many business men. Steadfast in his faith in the Scriptures, with undaunted zeal, he never hesitated to state his convictions. Many will miss him, including members of the Herald office where he was a frequent and interesting visitor. Death was due to a cold and complications which set in about two weeks ago. A son, Rev. H. T. Unruh of Bluffton, Ohio, was on the way to his sick-bed, but failed to arrive before the father passed away. Other sons surviving are Rev. P. H. Unruh, elder of the Alexanderwohl church, and John W. Unruh of Newton; and three daughters, the Misses Gussie and Lois of Newton, and Mrs. Carl Schmidt of Goessel. Funeral services will be held at the Alexanderwohl church Friday afternoon. The Review extends sincere sympathy to the bereaved family.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1939 Mar 15 p. 3
text of obituary:
Peter P. Unruh was born in Nicolaidorf, South Russia, November 11, 1852. His parents were Peter Unruh and Sara Schroeder Unruh. He was educated in the village school of Nicolaidorf. Here in America he had one month of English school. He acquired a knowledge of the English language so that he could express himself well on the general problems of life and also on spiritual matters.
He was baptized upon the confession of his faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior on June 4, 1872, by the Elder Jacob Buller and joined the Alexanderwohl church, where he was a faithful member till his end. When in 1874 the church left Russia, he his parents, and all his brothers and sisters, except one brother, joined the great exodus to North America. Here they settled in the eastern part of McPherson Co., Kansas. The first years of hard pioneer life had a very beneficial influence upon him and many others, as it revealed to them how to correctly evaluate the material and spiritual things. Characters were developed which were firm and settled, not to be moved by the changes and storms of life.
On February 10, 1880, he married Anna Klassen. To this union were born 9 children, 4 sons and 5 daughters. Of these one son and two daughters died in infancy. He was grandfather over 9 grandchildren and great-grandfather over two great-grandchildren.
Of the latter, one preceded him in death. in the year 1901, on February 12, his dear wife was called to her heavenly rest. Days of deep sorrow followed for father and children. He lived in the state of matrimony 21 years and 2 days. The ever present help of the Lord was keenly felt.
In the fall of 1921 he gave up his farm and moved to Newton, Kansas. Here he lived with his three youngest children and enjoyed a quiet and happy sunset of life.
Father was healthy and strong. In the night of February 6 and 7 he had a heart attack, which left him very weak, yet he was never fully bedfast. The last day he was very sick when bronchio-pneumonia developed. At 12:45, March 7, he peacefully and quietly went home to be with the Lord, whom he loved, at the age of 86 years, 8 months, and 26 days.
During the days when he was healthy and the days of his last sickness he gave testimony of an unwavering life of faith which the Lord blessed with the quiet, peaceful hope of the saved.
He leaves to mourn his departure: His children, Mr. and Mrs. Peter H. and Susie Unruh, Goessel, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. Henry T. and Anna Unruh, Bluffton, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. Carl and Sarah Urnuh Schmidt, Newton; Miss Augusta Unruh, Newton; Miss Louise Unruh, Newton; Mr. and Mrs. John W. and Wilma Unruh, Newton; and 9 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; also 2 sisters, Mrs. Anna Regier, Buhler; Mrs. Katharina Regier, Hesston; and one brother, Mr. and Mrs. David P. and Justina Unruh, Goessel; and many friends and relatives.
"We miss you from our home, dear father!
We miss you from our place;
A shadow over our life is cast,
We miss the sunshine from your face."
The funeral was held March 10, at the Alexanderwohl church, conducted by Rev. C. C. Wedel and Rev. J. J. Banman. Rev. C. C. Wedel's text was Hebr. 12, 2 and Rev. J. J. Banman's text, Numbers 23, 10. Rev. P. H. Richert conducted the service at the grave.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1939 Mar 15 p. 5
text of obituary:
. . .
— A large number of relatives and friends from Newton and vicinity attended the funeral for the aged P. P. Unruh held last riday afternoon at the Alexanderwohl church. The service was conducted by Rev. C. C. Wedel and Rev. J. J. Banman, while Rev. P. H. Richert led the committal service at the grave. Rev. H. T. Unruh of Bluffton, Ohio, who had come to attend his father's funeral returned to Bluffton early this week.
The Mennonite obituary: 1939 Mar 28 p. 13