COLUMBUS
Patricia K. Unrue, 71, of Columbus, died at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 24.
Patty was born February 23, 1947, the daughter of Bob and Marifrances (Rogers) Speer, she married Theodore Unrue on August 23, 1969.
She graduated from Columbus High School (1965), from Ball State University Summa Cum Laude in Elementary Education (1969), and earned a Masters in Education from Indiana University (1972).
She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them.
She was a passionate elementary teacher, touching many young lives in 34 years of teaching at Rockcreek and Parkside Elementary Schools. She also authored several teaching articles.
Her hobbies included going on family camping trips, gardening and needlework. She had traveled to all 50 states and several foreign countries.
She was a member of Sandy Hook United Methodist Church and several teacher organizations including Delta Kappa Gamma, Indiana State Teachers Association, and Columbus Retired Teachers Association. She was involved with 4-H and served on the Bartholomew County Fair Board, Extension Board, and the 4-H Council.
She received many awards over the years for her service to others including the Rural Service Award, Conservation Teacher of the Year, Indiana State Reading Council Service Award, Indiana State Retired Teachers Volunteer Award, and Columbus Regional Hospital Volunteer of the Year
She spent many hours volunteering at Columbus Regional Hospital, Love Chapel, and Mill Race Center.
She is survived by her husband Ted Unrue of Columbus, son Todd Unrue (Leslie) of Elizabethtown, daughter Melanie Rosenthal (Josh) of Louisville, KY, grandson Levi Unrue of Elizabethtown and granddaughters Lydia, Junia, and Apphia Rosenthal of Louisville, KY, and brother Ron Speer (Nancy) of Columbus.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bob and Marifrances Speer and grandson Ezra Rosenthal.
A Christian, she trusted in Jesus, His righteousness and His death and resurrection on her behalf, and now joins her Creator and Redeemer in glory awaiting the resurrection of the dead and the recreation of the world.
Calling will be held Monday, January 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Sandy Hook United Methodist Church, 1610 Taylor Road, Columbus, IN 47203 and Tuesday, January 29 from 10 to 11 a.m. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 29 at 11 a.m. at Sandy Hook United Methodist Church with Rev. Marcus Speer and Rev. Steve Austin officiating. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Love Chapel or Sandy Hook United Methodist Church.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.
