Lester G. Unruh, 77, of Newton, passed away June 20, 2013 surrounded by his family. He was born November 27, 1935, son of William J. and B. Fern Unruh. He attended Lincoln Elementary School and was a class of 1953 graduates of Newton High School. While in high school, his classmates asked about his middle initial and laughingly gave him the nickname "Gooch" after a Dick Tracy cartoon character.
He married LaDonna Ayers on July 6, 1958 in Newton and entered the U.S. Army on July 14, serving in Germany until 1960. Three daughters were born to the couple; Michelle, Melinda and Marla.
Following his years in the Army, he worked for Hajoca and other mobile home supply distributors until retirement., at which time, he joined the staff of Wichita Clinic-Bethel where he worked for 12 and a half years.
He was very talented and much sought after softball pitcher. He had Wichita State University basketball season tickets for 52 years and was thrilled to watch the play in the Final Four this season.
He was a lifetie member of Salem United Metehodist Church, serving on various committes and was a charter member of the Crusader Sunday School class.
Survivors: wife, LaDonna; daughters; Michelle (Brent) Coffman; Melinda (Randy) Voelker, Newton and Marla (Ed) Manche, Hutchinson; sister, Luberta (Adrian) McCulloch, Newton; 9 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life service will be held at Salem United Methodist Church Saturday, June 290. Visitation will be at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home on Friday, June 28.
