Kyle Frederick Cunningham
Kyle Frederick Cunningham, 80, Kimmell, passed away at home on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, surrounded by his family. He was born on Aug. 26, 1938, to Frederick and Rose Cunningham in Ligonier. On Oct. 26, 2006, he married Jean (Maloney) Speaker in Anderson, S.C.
He was a lifetime area resident living in both Ligonier and Kimmell. He graduated from Ligonier High School in 1956. He was an area realtor and farmer throughout most of his life. He was an avid IU basketball fan and sports fanatic. His favorite hobby was raising, judging and attending rabbit shows. He was an American Rabbit Breeders Association judge for over 40 years and a former President of the Indiana State Rabbit Breeder’s Association. He also was a former Vice President of the NE Indiana Realtor’s Association.
He attended Wolf Lake Baptist Church. He loved traveling around the country for rabbit shows and enjoyed his winters in Florida with his wife in his later years.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Cunningham of Kimmell; five children: Michael and Laure Cunningham of Topeka; Kim Cunningham and Joan Clark of Palm Springs, Calif.; Dawn Irmscher of Fort Wayne; Leah and Jerry Bauman of Kendallville; Holly and Tim Dement of Brownsburg; two step-daughters: Beth Merriman of Belton, S.C.; Brenda Johnston of Williamston, S.C.; 14 grandchildren: Justin, Jarod, Jenna, Heather, Ryan, Hunter, Grady, Lana, Brett, Warren, Ella, Riley, Max, and a new grandson due in September; two great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Emma; brother, Kent and Lori Cunningham of Ligonier; and a sister, Alice “Kay” and Stan Mithoefer of Lafayette.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a stepson, Brian Merriman.
A funeral service will held in Kyle Cunningham’s honor on Monday, May 20, at 11:00 AM at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, IN 46767. Pastor Dan Carlson will officiate. A private cremation committal will follow at Legacy Cremation & Remembrance Center. Burial will take place at Sparta Cemetery in Kimmell at a later date.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2019 from 2-6 PM at Yeager Funeral Home as well as an hour prior to the funeral service on Monday.
Memorial contributions are to the American Rabbit Breeder’s Association (ARBA) Youth Scholarship, P.O. Box 400 Knox, PA 16232 or Wolf Lake Baptist, 1133 Main St., Wolf Lake, IN 46796.
Yeager Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.