GREAT BEND — Elgie L. Unruh, 85, a longtime resident of Pawnee Rock, went to be with his Lord and Savior July 25, 2011 at Great Bend Regional Hospital.
Elgie was born March 26, 1926 on a farm near Pawnee Rock, the son of Otis Unruh and Lena Schultz Unruh.
He was married to Anita Jepson and to this union was born two children, Leon and Cheryl. Later, he married Betty J. Brittain, July 18, 1987, in Great Bend. She survives. He graduated from high school at Pawnee Rock. He was Sexton at the Pawnee Rock Cemetery and the Dundee Cemetery for many years. He drove the Pawnee Rock school bus for 18 years. Later he was the Pawnee Rock rural mail carrier for 8 to 10 years. He also operated a carpentry shop in Pawnee Rock for 46 years and did work in many homes. He made the shelves in the Barton County Courthouse. After 30 years of service, he removed these same shelves to the Barton County Extension Office in Great Bend. Elgie was well known for making furniture and artistic walking sticks. He was a Lions Club member in Pawnee Rock for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Betty J. Unruh, of the home; a son, Leon Unruh and wife, Margaret, Fairbanks, Alaska; a daughter, Cheryl Unruh and husband Dave Leiker, Emporia; two grandsons, Sam and Nik, Fairbanks, Alaska; a stepson, Ron Brittain and wife, Sharon, Edmond, Okla.; four step-grandchildren; six step-great grandchildren; and a step-great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne Unruh, and Laramie Unruh; and a sister, Juletha Fox.
Funeral services are scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 30 at the First Assembly of God Church in Great Bend with Pastor Dwight Dozier officiating. Burial will be at the Pawnee Rock Cemetery. Friends may visit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, July 29 with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Barton County Historical Society in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home*
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS, 67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, July 28, 2011