Quinter resident, Marvin Unruh, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2013, at Gove County Medical Center, Long Term Care, in Quinter at age 91 years. He was born June 7, 1921, the son of Lincoln L. and Elda (Unruh) Unruh, in rural Copeland, Kansas.

Marvin was a Copeland High School Graduate. In November 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served with the 40th Combat Engineers during World War II and returned home on Thanksgiving Day 1945. During his tour of duty, he served in Africa, Sicily, and the Mediterranean. Marvin was united in marriage to Juanita "Skeeter" Basinger, on October 19, 1947, in Utica, Kansas. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage together until Juanita's death on March 11, 2007. In 1951, he went to work with his father-in-law, Dorsey Basinger, selling cars. Marvin and his brother-in-law, Lyle Schwindt, bought the family business in 1957; then in 1967, he bought the Chevrolet dealership in Quinter where he became the owner/dealer/operator for Unruh Chevrolet-Buick, Inc.

If you had to describe Marvin with one word, it would be "giving". Regardless of where Marvin lived, he was always very generous with his time and talent. He was faithful studying the Bible and leading his Sunday School class. For many years, he ran the scoreboard and time clock at high school basketball games. Marvin coached youth baseball teams, and the dealership was often the sponsor of baseball and bowling teams. He was a member of the Isis Shriners and always looked forward to taking the 3rd grade class to the Shrine Circus. He also was a member of other organizations including the Freemasons, the Lion's Club, Kansas Auto Dealers Association (board member), representative for the Silver Haired Legislators, and the Quinter Senior Citizen's Center (treasurer and board member). Delivery of bulk fuel was one of the offerings of the family business in Utica, and Lisa and David have fond memories of riding with their dad on deliveries. Marvin was a huge baseball fan and a devout KU basketball fan. He was a devoted brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He cherished the time he spent with his family, friends, employees and customers.

Marvin will be dearly missed by many friends and family, including: a son David E. (Kathy) Unruh of Salina; a daughter Lisa Ann (Jim) Thelen of Hugo, Colorado; six brothers Leslie (Gertrude) Unruh of Copeland, Orlan (Bertha) Unruh of Dodge City, Norman (Maureen) Unruh of Brooksville, Mississippi, Charles (Pauline) Unruh of Ulysses, Delbert (Lillian) Unruh of Scio, Oregon, and Arnold (Norma) Unruh of Copeland; seven sisters Irene Koehn of Montezuma, Lorene Nichols of Montezuma, Celesta (Clarence) Koehn of Brooksville, Mississippi, Nora (Herb) Friesen of Aberdeen, Mississippi, Ladean (Kenneth) Nightengale of Copeland, Geneva Nightengale of Brooksville, Mississippi, and Berniece Koehn of Copeland; two sisters-in-law Irene Koehn of Copeland, and Fern Unruh of Hartley, Texas; three grandchildren Valerie (Kevin) Snyder of Lindsborg, Stacie (Rob) Frobenius of Kansas City, and Bethanie (Cody) Ast of Wichita; two step grandchildren William (Shyla) Thelen of Ellensburg, Washington, and Kevin Thelen of Hugo, Colorado; and two great-grandchildren Landon and Weston Snyder of Lindsborg. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two brothers, Ezra and Gary, and a sister Elsie Koehn.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Church of the Brethren in Quinter. Burial will be in the Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter.

Visitation will be Friday evening from 5 to 7 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Quinter Senior Center or the Church of the Brethren and may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

Words of sympathy and support may be sent to the family by clicking send private condolences or sign guest book above.

Please take time to view the tribute video in honor of Marvin's life by clicking the link above.