Donald Eugene Cunningham
LAUREL — Donald Eugene Cunningham, 82, Laurel, died June 10, 2019, at his home near Laurel.
Visitation was Thursday at United Lutheran Church, Laurel.
Funeral services were June 14 at United Lutheran Church, Laurel, with Dr. Lee Dahl, Laurel, Layperson, officiating.
Interment was in the Laurel Cemetery, with Military Rites provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post#54, Laurel.
Pallbearers were all of Don’s nephews, Kirby Cunningham, Kevin Cunningham, Toby Cunningham, Dave Cunningham, Gail Cunningham, Doug Cunningham, Chad Gansebom, Ryan Martindale and Joedy Cunningham.
Johnson Funeral Home, Randolph, was in charge of arrangements.
Donald was born Nov. 1, 1936, in Randolph to Earl and Grace (Paulson) Cunningham. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith. He graduated from Randolph High School in 1954. Don married Sharolyn Sue Martindale Aug. 11, 1956, in Fort Smith, Ark, and they had three sons, Kirt, Todd and Scott.
Don honorably served our country in the United States Army from January 1955 until he was honorably discharged May 1963.
He passionately served the Dixon County Ag Society, was an active member on the Dixon County Fair Board, and was a member of the United Lutheran Church. Don had a passion for the horse industry and spent many years riding and raising horses, judging horse shows and competing in team penning. He especially loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren compete at many different horse shows and rodeos.
Donald is survived by his three sons, Kirt Cunningham and friend Janeen Dickes; Todd and Karla Cunningham; Scott and Malinda Cunningham, all of Laurel; his grandchildren, Heather Cunningham and Kreesan Reddy; Ryan and Jenny Cunningham; Tayler and Scott Chase; Lauren Cunningham and Sydney Cunningham; his great-grandchildren, Jaxon and Sy Chase; Piper and Nash Cunningham and Charli Reddy; Sam and Sydney Reddy; sister, Deanna and Dan Gansebom, Osmond; sister inlaw, Elda Cunningham, Wausa, and a host of family members and numerous friends.
Donald was proceeded in death by his wife, Sharolyn; parents, Earl and Grace Cunningham; mother in-law and father in-law, Gaillard and Irene Martindale; brothers, Gerald Cunningham and Dean Cunningham; sister in-law, Ardis Cunningham; brother in-law, William “Bill” Martindale; niece, Teri Suhr; and nephew, Shawn Martindale.
Memorials may be directed to the Dixon County Ag Society.