Richard Thomas Unger, age 86, passed away July 17, 2011 in Kearns, Utah. He was born September 10, 1924 in Aurora, Illinois to Frank Rawls Unger and Thelma Marion Spangle. He graduated from Plainfield High School in Illinois and Wesleyan College, Bloomington, Illinois.
Dick enlisted in the Marines at the age of 18. He served at Guadalcanal, the invasion and battle for the securing of Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. He was there to see the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima. Dick was blinded by a knee mortar. He was honorably discharged as a Para Rifleman and was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in the Asiatic-Pacific conflict of WWII.
He returned home to marry his sweetheart, Mary Ann Dechanso on June 6, 1946. They were blessed with three sons. Mary died September 1977. He met Faun Ihler while golfing and they married March 15, 1985. Dick was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and he and Faun were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple December 17, 1993. Dick served in many callings in his wards in Arizona and Kearns. The callings he loved most were home teacher and ward missionary.
Dick and Faun enjoyed golfing together. Faun would tell Dick where the hole was and how far. He was an experienced golfer. He worked as a Regional Manager for the Ford Motor Co. He loved his dogs, most recently, Riggs, who was with him to the end.
Survived by his children, Richard Unger II (Phyllis), Ron Unger (Connie) and Jon Unger (Karen); stepchildren, Greg Ihler (Janene), Debbie Rasmussen, Deneece Park (Dennis) and Alan Ihler (Dottie) and 61 grandchildren and great-grandchildren whose “hugs on his legs eased the ache in his tired old bones.”
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Kearns 6th Ward House, 4260 West 5215 South. Family will receive friends July 21 from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. in the Kearns 6th Ward Relief Society room. Interment: Orangeville Cemetery, Orangeville, UT.
Condolences may be sent to the family @www.valleyviewfuneral.com
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