Montezuma - Our father and grandfather, Dale James Unruh, was born on November 2, 1939, to David G. and Helena (Unruh) Unruh in Montezuma. He suddenly left us on October 23, 2023, at the age of eighty-three.

He was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on January 22, 1954, by Min. Claude Unruh. He was faithful to his vows, living a careful, conscientious life.

As a young adult, he served nearly two years in 1-W service in Denver, CO. He was married to Sharon Jantz on May 2, 1969, in Winton, California, by Min. Harold A. Schmidt. He loved mom dearly, and missed her after her passing in 2020. They shared just over fifty-one years of married life. They lived in California for a short time before making their home in Montezuma. God blessed them with four boys.

Dad worked hard to provide for his family. He found employment at various places, including a local service station and grain storage facility. Later, he worked as our church janitor for a number of years.

Our father loved the Word of God, and we remember him spending many hours with his Bible or a commentary on his lap. Dad enjoyed traveling. He took us on a number of family vacations when we children were still at home. He also enjoyed going for short drives in the countryside around Montezuma. Dad remained physically active in his retirement, going on frequent walks around the town.

He is survived by four sons, Brandon and Heather of Montezuma, Kansas; Lonnie and Deb of Glenn, California; Darren and Jenn, and Teryl and Kara all of Montezuma, Kansas; and 14 grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers Wayne Unruh, Galen and Linda Unruh, Gary and Carol Unruh, and a sister, Gayenelle and Stan Friesen. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, parents-in-law, and a sister, Donita Unruh.

Funeral service will be held at Homeland Mennonite Church, Montezuma on Monday, October 30, 2023 at 10:30 AM with Ministers Donnie Koehn, Lyndon Toews, and Charles Schmidt presiding. Burial will be in the Homeland Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 2:30 to 5:30 PM.  Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.