Jerold "Jerry" L. Unruh

Jerold Lee Unruh (Jerry), 82, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away peacefully with family on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, at McPherson Hospital.

He was born July 11, 1944, in McPherson, Kansas, the youngest of three boys born to Frank and Ada Unruh. His brothers were Bob (Donna) and Ed (Darlene) Unruh. He graduated from McPherson High School in 1962. He attended some classes at Hutchinson Community College and McPherson College before joining the United States Navy from 1967 to 1969. While in the Navy, he toured aboard the USS Gyatt.

In August 1969, Jerry was united in marriage to Debra Sue Schulz. This union was blessed with four sons: Lee, Tim, Andy, and Alex. He was later married to Diane Baughman for approximately 10 years.

He began his adult career at Hesston Corporation, where he worked for 17 years as a buyer. While there, he had the opportunity to travel to Europe several times. He fondly recounted those stories at family gatherings. Early in his career at Hesston, he moonlighted doing body work to earn extra money to support his growing family. After Hesston, he held jobs for various companies, including Murdock Supply, before finding his passion caring for elderly people and providing their transportation while working for The Cedars. He retired from there in 2017.

His hobbies included riding his bike all around town, gardening, and tinkering on small engines. Earlier in his life, he really enjoyed going to auctions looking for great deals, or as he and his best friend Bob Hapgood called it, junkin’. Late in life, his favorite pastime was his morning routine of having breakfast at Neighbors Café.

He last attended Trinity Lutheran Church.

Survivors include four children, Lee (Melissa) of Newton, KS, Tim (Kim), Andy (Stacy), and Alex (Angie), all of McPherson, KS; grandchildren, Taylor (Katie) Krier, Paige (Jeremy) Nisly, Abbi, AJ, Audra, Adrian, Hannah, Grace, and Seth; several great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Donna of McPherson, KS; as well as several extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers.

A visitation will be held at Stockham Family Funeral Home on Thursday, September 10th, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. The memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 11th, at Stockham Family Funeral Home. Burial will follow the service at McPherson Cemetery.

Donations in Jerry’s honor can be made payable to Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.