Donald Lee Unruh

Donald Lee Unruh of Chestertown, MD died on December 6, 2022, at Chestertown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a brief illness. He was 94 years old. Donald was born in Kent County, DE, on July 2, 1928, the son of the late Roland and Dora Unruh. He was the second oldest of nine. With seven brothers and one sister, there was always plenty to do on the farm. He and his family moved to Kent County, MD, when he was twelve and he spent most of his teens working with his father, sharecropping area farms. He worked as a grain and dairy farmer until 1965 when he purchased property and began clearing land. What began as a small land-clearing job soon turned into a successful excavation business, D.L. Unruh & Son Excavating, which he owned and operated until 1987 when his son assumed the business. Mr. Unruh was married to Theresa Mann on February 4, 1950, and together they owned and operated Unruh’s Coffee Shop, in Chestertown, from the early to mid-eighties. Later they owned and operated Unruh’s Carryout, a community favorite for homemade soups and chicken. Following his retirement, Donald kept busy mowing grass for the Boy Scout Camp and various farms. Mr. Unruh’s hobbies and interests followed suit with his farming background. He attended tractor pulls, repaired and collected antique tractors (two of which are featured at Kent Museum), and enjoyed going to equipment auctions with his son. He loved to dance with the Chestertown Cotillion Club, travel with his wife, listen to country music, and hunt. For many years, he could be found at McDonald’s, at the break of dawn, enjoying coffee and laughs with his buddies. He was a past Liquor Inspector for Kent County, past member of the Democratic Central Committee and the Chestertown Elks Lodge, and past president of Kent County Ruritan. In addition to his wife of 72 years, he is survived by his children, Rick Unruh, Joe Unruh (Robin), both of Chestertown, Barb Wyman (Jim) of King George, VA, and Cathy Cole (Brian) of Centreville; a daughter-in-law, Pat Unruh of Chestertown; a brother, Denny Unruh of Chestertown; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Doris Greiner. He was predeceased by his brothers, Howard, Raymond, Roland, Carl, Aubrey, and Allen; a sister: Mary, a son, Tom Unruh; a daughter, Beverly Unruh, and a grandson, Brandon Middleton. Services will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, MD. Interment will be in Chester Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kent County Museum, 13689 Turners Creek Road, Kennedyville, MD 21645 or the Kent Ruritan Club, 10844 Foreston Road, Chestertown, MD 21620.

Donald Lee Unruh

July 2, 1928 - December 6, 2022