Obituary: Lynette Susan Beinke Unger

Lynette Susan Beinke Unger passed peacefully holding her daughter’s hand on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. 

She was born Nov. 30, 1951 in Davenport, Iowa to the late Glenn and Louise Beinke. 

Also known as Aunt Susie, Vulture and Dr. Unger, Lynette lived an amazing, adventurous and glass ceiling shattering life. 

Raised in Rock Island, Illinois, Lynette graduated from Rock Island High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Augustana College and an MBA and Ph.D from the University of Cincinnati. 

After careers as a translator and stewardess, Lynette found her life’s calling as a professor of marketing. She taught at Miami University for more than two decades, rising to become a tenured professor and Associate Dean at the Farmer School of Business. 

Lynette was known for her world travels, frequently distributing multi-country itineraries to her children prior to setting off. She visited all 50 states, over 90 countries and lived abroad several times. 

She was a lifelong swimmer and athlete, competing in club swimming and varsity doubles tennis and synchronized swimming in high school and master’s swimming events and triathlons as an adult. 

Lynette loved film, music, plays, musicals, literature and her pet cats through the years. She had a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit. 

Lynette was married twice (Ray Unger and Steve McCullough) and spent 18 years with loving partner Michael Webb. 

She is survived by two sons and two daughters-in law, Brad Unger of Columbus, Ohio and Scott Unger of Salem, Oregon; one daughter and a son-in-law, Julia Massey of Columbus, Ohio, four grandchildren; a niece and nephew and her sister, Luanne Beinke of Rock Island, Illinois. 

Lynette was preceded in death by her sister, Janna Marshall. 

She lives on as an inspiration to her children and loved ones. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lynette’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, YMCA, or Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 

This obituary was submitted to the Oxford Free Press.