JOHN UNGER

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JOHN UNGER On Friday, August 8, 2008 at the Concordia Hospital, John Unger passed on to his eternal life at the age of 84 years. John was born the seventh in a family of 10 brothers and one sister. His childhood was dominated by a form of strict and conservative Mennonite teaching. When John reached his teen years, he and some of his brothers were influenced by Christian public school teachers to accept a way of Christian living that began with a firm declaration of salvation through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Motivated by his new-found faith, John felt an urge to share the blessings of salvation and enrolled in Bible college to train for a Christian ministry. John set out early to work with missionaries who were reaching out to people of some of Saskatchewan's isolated regions. He, with his wife and children, made an outstanding contribution to the ministry to the Aboriginal people up north. He did this through teaching the scriptures and the Cree language, by mail, by a radio ministry and by representing the needs of the north in congregations across the prairies. John's work was interspersed with shorter periods of church work as a pastoral family. His devotion to his calling was unwavering and unfaltering. Missionary service was an important part of John's character and career. John and Emily are the parents of three daughters, Eileen Peters (Lloyd), Ruth Anne Dyck (Louis), Sandra Lynn and one son, Kevin (Marge). John's pride in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was always evident in relating events of family life. In later years, John found companionship in his wife, Rilla, with whom he enjoyed many years of outdoor activities such as camping and in participating in Christian ministry of his beloved church fellowship. John leaves behind to cherish his memory the John and Emily Unger family, as well as the Everett and Rilla Monkman family. Also surviving John are three brothers and numerous in-laws and their families. A celebration of John's life will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2008, 1:30 p.m. at the First Nations Community Church, 44 Tentler Ave., Winnipeg, MB. John leaves to those who remain a legacy of a simple faith in Christ, a generous involvement in sharing the gospel and a glorious hope of eternal life after the travails of this life are done. Funeral Arrangements In Care Of: WHEELER FUNERAL CHAPEL 211 REGENT AVENUE (AT BOND) 224-1525

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 09, 2008