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M. Claire Unrue (Great Papa) went home to be with the Lord the evening of October 16th at Dover, Ohio. He was born January 5, 1928, a son of the late William Sommer and Bertha Kay Unrue. He was 93.
As a high school student, he was a 3-season athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball, graduating from Wintersville High School in 1946. In 1950, a veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during the Korean Conflict. He met the former Wanda Jean Huston (1930-2011) and the couple married July 23, 1952. Together, they were active in Calcutta United Presbyterian Church, where Claire was an Elder and Trustee, amongst many other roles. He was also involved with Promise Keepers, the Rescue Mission and chaired the Christian Businessmen Association.
Together, Claire and Wanda had a true heart for service, often welcoming people into their home for meals, hosting weekly meetings of the local Teen World Ministries for 15 years and delivering food for Meals on Wheels. He helped facilitate the annual Community Prayer Breakfast for many years, where he proudly carried the role of inviting speakers and selling tickets.
He worked for J.C. Penney for 37 years until his retirement in 1990. He was a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Ohio State Buckeyes, always refusing to say the name of "That State Up North." Claire never met a stranger! He brightened the day of everyone he met with a cheerful greeting and a joke. Although he possessed a great sense of humor, he also had a serious side. His active life of service was his testimony of his love for God. On one of his last days, he reminded us that "Jesus is everything."
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Jean Huston Unrue, and two brothers, Earl and Harold Unrue.
Left to cherish his memory are three sons: Mark (Cindy) Unrue of Uhrichsville, Ohio, Stan Unrue of Cocoa, Florida, and Rick (Deb) Unrue of Titusville, Florida; as well as eight grandchildren: Amy Botkin, Stanley Blackwell, and Ashley Unrue; Jeanna (Joshua) Welch, Denise (Corey) Casper, Katlin (Matthew) Hecker, Tim (Karrson) Unrue and Zak (Jamisyn) Unrue; and many great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by a sister Cleo Muckle of Hopedale, along with a sister-in-law, Marian Houser of Virginia.
Rev. Mark Unrue will conduct a funeral service at 12:00 noon Friday, October 22 at the Calcutta United Presbyterian Church. Friends may visit two hours prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Calcutta Cemetery. The Dawson Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Following the service, family and friends will gather at the church for fellowship.
Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in Claire's memory in care of Calcutta United Presbyterian Church, 16123 St. Clair Avenue, East Liverpool, or Teen World Ministries, P.O. Box 2036, East Liverpool, OH 43920.
View Claire's memorial webpage and express condolences online at www.dawsonfuneralhome.com.
10/19/21