Mike L. Unruh

Michael Lynn Unruh was born to Robert and Violet (Schmidt) Unruh on September 20, 1970, at Newton, Kansas. He passed from this life to the Great Beyond on May 30, 2023, at age 52 in a tragic work accident in Wichita, Kansas. Mike was raised on the family dairy farm north of Halstead. His parents taught him to be honest and hardworking. When he was at the young age of 12, he had an experience with the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. He was faithful to those vows until the end. Mike fell in love with me, Sheryl Wenger, and we were married on June 3, 1990. He became my best friend and partner in a life of joy. When we had been married for a short nine months, Mike’s parents and siblings moved to a new church home in western Kentucky after selling the dairy. Was he ever a proud father when we had our first baby! He wanted girls and was so pleased that he was able to be the dad of three beautiful daughters. Years later, he was positive he had gotten the two best sons-in-law. He loved to work hard, loved the play hard, and he loved the Lord with all his heart. Planning a perfect trip to a perfect location pleased him so much. When we were happy, he was happy. His tall athletic build made hiking more like a race and made softball look easy. Life in the factory was never his dream so he looked for a more fulfilling way to make our livelihood. A job opening for Lowell Roth at Hesston, Kansas, started him on the path to moving dirt. He saw opportunity to start his own business and excelled in making Unruh Excavating LLC, Moundridge, Kansas, his was to enjoy work and fulfill his drive to make the business thrive. He had a way of juggling it all but would give much credit to his loyal employees. Serving on building committees for the church, school and teacher’s house were challenges he enjoyed, and he knew how to work peaceably with others. One of his favorite jobs was being an usher at church conferences, annual meetings, and other church functions. When he was elected to the Mercy Hospital board of directors, he put his whole heart into it. School board, youth leader, CDR and church business committee were incorporated into his busy life. We never doubted that serving the Lord and being with family and friends were his top priority. Our hearts are so deeply pained by Mike’s sudden and unexpected death. Mike, my dear husband and our Dad, is waiting on the Other Side, having found something far beyond the perfect vacation spot. We believe he has found the beauty of Heaven. Those mourning are his wife, Sheryl, his daughters: Alexcia and Micah Unruh, Galva, Kansas; Brooke and Ricki Penner, Bredenbury, Saskatchewan, Canada; Chelsea, of the home; one precious granddaughter, Isabelle Marie Unruh. His mother, Violet, Murray, Kentucky; brother, Phil and Katrina Unruh; sisters, Cindy and Kendall Koehn, Trish and Abe Leonard. Parents-in-law, Dale and Luerla Wenger; brothers-in-law, Kevin and Julaine Wenger, Myron and Karla Wenger; sister-in-law, Amber and Mahlon Helms; and many friends and relatives. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Robert. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, June 4, 2023, at Garden View Mennonite Church, Halstead. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Moundridge Funeral Home with family greeting friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospital in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, PO Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.

Mike L. Unruh

September 20, 1970 - May 30, 2023