He was born Aug. 27, 1934, in Fayetteville, Ark., the son of Dave and Irene Unruh. He grew up on a farm near Holcomb and attended schools there, graduating from Holcomb High School in 1952.
He served in the U.S. Army for four years. He moved to Emporia, where he attended Emporia State University, graduating with a business degree in 1964. During this time, he also worked for Penny's Ready Mix, Emporia, from 1960 to 1972. In 1972, he moved to Ottawa and managed the Penny's Ready Mix Plant until purchasing the business in 1976 from the Penny family. He operated the business until he sold it and retired in April 1990. After his retirement, he worked on his farm.
Mr. Unruh was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, where he was an Elder. He received the Dedicated Service Award from the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce for 1980 to 1982, served as Chamber of Commerce president from 1985 to 1986 and was instrumental in forming the Leadership Program with the Chamber of Commerce. He was a former member of Ottawa Franklin County Economic Development and received the Ottawa Jaycees Community Service award for 1988 to 1989.
He married Sherril DeVore on Jan. 15, 1985, in Ottawa. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include a son, Gregory, Lawrence; a daughter, Melanie Bays, Littleton, Colo.; his parents, Greensburg; a brother, David, Bethel, Alaska; two sisters, Virginia Warner, Georgetown, Ky., and Marjorie Coulter, Mountain Park, Okla.; and one grandchild.
The family suggests memorials to the church or to Prostate Cancer Research Fund, sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Heise Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa 66067.
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