Sanford L Unruh

Sanford L. Unruh, 91, of Okolona, MS passed away at Oakwood Retirement Community in Brooksville, MS on June 1, 2024. Funeral Services will be held at Church of God in Christ Mennonite Church, Okolona, MS., Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church Monday, June 3, 2024 from 5:30- 8:00 p.m. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Sanford Leroy Unruh was born to Frank and Elvina (Unruh) Unruh on April 8, 1933, in McPherson County, Kansas. On June 1, 2024, Dad quietly slipped away from us, in the early morning hours, at Oakwood Assisted Living, Brooksville, Mississippi have reached the age of 91 years.

He attended Happy Hollow School near Galva, Kansas as a boy with his sisters. After he answered the Lord’s call he was baptized on April 14, 1946, by Herman Mininger at the Lone Tree Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. Though his Christian life was quiet and unassuming, his loyalty to the faith was not a question. When the church doors were open, we were there…… early.

Dad spent his 1-W Service in Baltimore, MD from 1953-1955, where he formed friendships that lasted a lifetime.  On October 9, 1955, he was married to our mother, Elsie Koehn, by Frank    Unruh at Lone Tree. They shared the joys and sorrows of life for almost 69 years. To this home were born 3 sons and 2 daughters. They enjoyed sharing their home with relatives and friends. Their hospitality included those who had a limited social circle.

Dad’s occupations in life included working at Kit Manufacturing, carpentry, farming grain crops and raising catfish. This was done in various locations. As a young couple they moved to Wisconsin. This was a short stay, after which they returned to central Kansas. This was not permanent. In 1967 they moved to the Delta in Mississippi and attended church at the Leland congregation. In 1968, Dad and Mom decided to move to near Homeworth, Ohio to do carpentry work. The years in Ohio were busy, happy years and they often referred to those years with fond memories. In 1975 they moved to Okolona, MS where a new congregation was beginning. This was their home until 2020 when they moved to the Oakwood Retirement Community at Brooksville, MS.

Dad was a hardworking man who would respond to the disappointments in life with a quiet acceptance. He was not one to complain but would accept the circumstances of life with changes as they were needed. He enjoyed fixing things and making them work like new again. He did not seek attention but was a quiet worker in the background.

Dad always enjoyed singing. We, the children, have memories of the times when dad would sit in the living room and sing. In his younger years he was in a quartet. We appreciate the guidance we received from him. It was often not with words, but with quiet example. Though he was not one to express his love verbally, there was no doubt to us of his love and that he wished the best for us. He was not one to initiate a public conversation but enjoyed listening. When he did speak was worth listening to. He would not often volunteer advice as such, but if one listened closely the advice was there.

Those left to cherish his memory include: our mother Elsie; us children: Brad, and wife Gloria of Murray, KY; Larry, and wife Arlene of Homeworth, Ohio; Bob and wife Charlotte of Okolona, MS; Janice and husband Todd Becker of Okolona, MS, Marcia and husband Rawlin Jantz of Prairie, MS and 13 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Dad’s siblings: brother-in-law John Becker; sister: Julia and husband Roy Koehn: brother in-law Leon Koehn: sister, Lois and husband Charles Koehn and many more relatives and friends. Dad was preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters: Margie and husband Wilbert Koehn; Minnie Becker, Ruby Koehn, and brother in-law Mahlon Miller.