Ruth Bunton

Ruth Elaine Wood Bunton, 85, of Irwin, Missouri, died Friday, May 22, 2015. A lifetime resident of Barton County, Ruth was born near Irwin on December 26, 1929, to Carl and Clara (Davidson) Wood. She graduated from Lamar High School and Cottey College. As an elementary school teacher at Liberal, she met Donald Frank Bunton. They married on December 26, 1950, at Lamar First Christian Church and began farming near Irwin that year. Ruth's greatest devotions were family, church, farm and community. As a girl in the 1940s, she became a member of the Irwin 4-H Club. In 2008, she was inducted into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame, and in 2011, she was recognized by Barton County 4-H for 50 years as a volunteer leader. For many years, she enjoyed serving as a Union Township election judge. She was Don's partner in raising children and crops, expanding their family and farm over the years. In later years, she was her sons' advisor as they continued to farm in Irwin. Ruth was baptized in 1939, and she was a lifelong member of Lamar First Christian Church. She served there in many roles, including some 25 years as teacher of the Sunny Corner class and leader of beginner church for toddlers. She also enjoyed many years in the Ambassadors class and the Keen-Agers group. Above all, Ruth was devoted to her family, and took great joy in her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years. She is survived by her son Martin Bunton and wife Brenda; her son Michael Bunton and wife Cathy; her son Matthew Bunton and wife Laura (all of the Lamar area); her daughter Kristie Bunton of Saint Paul, Minnesota; her daughter Katharine Proctor and husband Matthew, of Joplin; her grandchildren Aaron and Mindy Bunton, Cara and Rod Hoevet, Wynne and Aaron Dogotch, Adam and Ruth Bunton, Molly Bunton, Emily and Chris Runion, Beth and Tyler Branstetter, Benjamin Bunton, Brian and Hailey Bunton, and Luke, Lydia, Clara, Carl, Conrad and Caroline Proctor; her great-grandchildren Drew Bunton, Gabriel and Isaiah Hoevet, and Elyanna, Elsa, Titus and Silas Dogotch; her brother Charles Wood of Sheldon; and her sister-in-law Virginia Bunton of Liberal. A memorial service will be held at Lamar First Christian Church at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2015, and the family will stay at the church afterward for fellowship and visiting until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Ozark Christian College.