Melvin Russell Unruh

Our father, Melvin Russell Unruh, was born to Peter J. and Katie Smith Unruh on May 25, 1925. He quietly passed away in his daughters arms on February 2, 2020, reaching the age of 94 years. He was the third child of a family of 14. Dad grew up during the depression and dust bowl days, truly experiencing hard times. Dad was baptized in his youth into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite but a reconsecration later added depth to his spiritual life. As a young man, he was drafted into the Army during WWII, being stationed in New Orleans. Because of his conscientious convictions, he served as a medic. Dad met Mom, Vera Long, in Swink, Colorado and they were later married in Raton, New Mexico. Their home was blessed with three boys and three girls. Their early married life was spent at Montezuma, Kansas. After several years, they moved to Michigan. They were blessed with sixty years together. He made his living with construction and farming. Dad had many interests; tinkering in his shop, making headcheese, working in the yard, or anything that kept his mind and hands busy. Our dad had a jovial, magnetic sanguine personality, often having a crowd of people around him. He loved going to the local coffee shop, connecting with friends and neighbors. Special highlights of their life were sharing the Good News of Salvation in tract work and personal testimony, spending time in the Ukraine, Birmingham, Alabama and Los Angeles, California. After Mom passed away in 2009, Dad soon moved to Detroit, Texas, living there nine years close to his daughter LaDonna. Although he was very lonely, he occupied his time restoring an old house and interacting with new friends. The last year and half he spent in Brooksville, Mississippi, where he was lovingly cared for by his daughter, Dena and caregivers, Paula and Darlene. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his children, LaDonna and Harley Koehn, Detroit, Texas, Timothy and Wanda Unruh, Othello, Washington, Joel and Marta Unruh, Ronan, Montana, Glenn Unruh and companion Yvonne, Carson City, Michigan, and Dena Unruh, Brooksville, Mississippi, fifteen grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren, sisters, Ormah and Arnold Giesbrecht, Lorraine Unruh, Fern and Harold Schmidt, sister-in-law Elaine Unruh, two brothers, Pete Unruh and Larry and Sharolyn Unruh, brother-in-law, Howard Nichols, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Vera, daughter, Tena Halliwill, brothers, LeeVern, Frank, Ardell, Ernie, Dennis, Don, and George, and sister Josie. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 10, 2020, at 10:30 A.M. at the Mt. Calm Mennonite Church. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 6-8 P.M. at the church. Interment will follow at the Mt. Calm Mennonite Cemetery.