Lester "Gooch" G. Unruh

Lester G. Unruh, 77, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at his home, surrounded by his family.
Lester was born on November 27, 1935 the son of William J. and B. Fern (Behm) Unruh. He attended Lincoln Elementary School and Newton Junior and Senior High School. While in high school his classmates asked about his middle initial and laughingly gave him the nickname "Gooch" afer a Dick Tracy cartoon character-and so "Gooch" became the name most people knew him by.
He married LaDonna Ayers on July 6, 1958, in Newton, and entered the US Army on July 14, serving in Germany until July 1960. Three daughters were born to the couple, Michelle, Melinda, Marla.
Following his years in the Army, he worked for Hajoca and other mobile home supply distributors until retirement. When he tired of retirement, he joined the staff at Wichita Clinic-Bethel where he worked for twelve and a half years. He was a devoted ray of sunshine to both patients and co-workers.
"Gooch" was a talented and much sought after softball pitcher, playing for numerous local slow-pitch teams including Gene's Shoes and Varsity Sports as well as pitcher for the Pizza Hut team which went to the National Championship in 1972. He was an avid bowler in Play-Mor leagues for decades. He had Wichita State University basketball season tickets for 52 years and was thrilled to watch them play in the Final Four this season. He proudly watched his grandchildren in their various activities-learning the rules of soccer, football, cross-county, basketball and cultivating an appreciation for dance, pageants and school programs while becoming the family videographer and keeper of newspaper clippings.
He was a lifetime member of Salem United Methodist Church, serving on various committees, and was a charter member of the Crusader Sunday School Class.
Lester is survived by his wife, LaDonna, and his daughters, Michelle (Brent) Coffman and Melinda (Randy) Voelker of Newton, and Marla (Ed) Manche of Hutchinson; his sister Luberta (Adrian) McCulloch of Newton, and nine grandchildren, Derek (Charo) Swoyer, Danika Swoyer, Brady Coffman, Mallorie Coffman, Janae Voelker, Jordan Voelker, Silas (Gloriana) Manche, Selina Manche and Seth Manche. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Family graveside services will be held following the funeral service, at Greenwood Cemetery
A Celebration of Life service will be at the Salem United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. Pastor Nancy Crowl will be presiding.
Visitation will be at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home on Friday, June 28th, from 1:00-9:00 P.M. with the family greeting frm 6:00-8:00 P.M.
Memorials have been established with the Salem United Methodist Church or the "Gooch" Memorial NHS Athletic Assistance Fund in care of the funeral home at 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.