Unruh, Sam J. (1893-1972)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Mar 23 p. 11

Birth date: 1893 Jan 27

text of obituary:

SAM J. UNRUH

Sam J. Unruh, son of John and Helena Funk Unruh, was born on Jan. 27, 1893, near Hillsboro, Kan. He attended French Creek School, Hillsboro high School and Tabor College, after which he taught three years in a rural school. During his youth he came to acknowledge Christ as Saviour and by baptism was united with the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church on Sept. 15, 1912.

He was married on June 13, 1915 to Mary Ann Wall of Moundridge, and to this union were born one daughter and three sons, one of whom died in infancy. The greater portion of his working life was spent in managing lumber companies. After living in Louisiana and at Gibon [sic Gibbon], Okla. for several years, he returned to Hillsboro where he manged the Badger Lumber company for 38 years retiring in 1960.

After the death of his wife in 1950, he married Kathryn Thiessen at Hillsboro on Jan. 27, 1951. During his years of retirement he gained joy and satisfaction out of serving as an agent for Railroad Building and Loan, a position he held until the time of his death.

On New Year's Day, 1972, he suffered a heart attack, made an apparently satisfactory recovery in Salem Hospital, and returned home several weeks ago. On Feb. 14, 1972, he suddenly passed away in the home, having reached the age of 79 years and 18 days.

We covet the memory of a husband and father whose love for us did not prevent him from being concerned about his church and community. He was chairman of the Building Committee for the church sanctuary and was a charter member of the male chorus that served the church for many years. He served as chairman of the Hillsboro Board of Education for 12 years and was instrumental in having the present high school building constructed. He also served on the city council for a number of years and was a Chamber of Commerce member at the time of his death.

Preceding him in death were three sisters and two brothers: Mrs. Otelia Golbek Loewen, Mrs. Anna Goertz, Olga Unruh, Fred Unruh and Frank Unruh. Surviving are his wife, Kathryn; three children and their families; Olga, Mrs. Ray Slifer and husband of Downey, Calif., Oliver and Irene Unruh of Bakersfield, Calif., Lee and Joyce Unruh of Hillsboro; three grandsons; four granddaughters; one great-grandson; one brother, John Unruh of Bakersfield; and two sisters, Mrs. Emma Loewen of Hillsboro and Mrs. Dora Unruh of Bakersfield. — The Family.