Bertha Nadeane Cunningham

March 12, 1924 ~ October 21, 2006

Born in: Wood River, Illinois
Resided in: Wood River, Illinois

Murel Cletus Cunningham, 83, & Bertha Nadeane Cunningham, 82, both of Edwardsville, died Sat., Oct. 21, 2006. Mr. Cunningham died at 3:25 a.m. in Anderson Hospital & Mrs. Cunningham died at 7:20 p.m. in Elmwood Health Care Center, both in Maryville.
(Note to papers: Natural causes).

Murel Cunningham was born on Apr. 6, 1923 in Edwardsville, IL, a son of Arthur “Dutch” & Pearl Lilly (Smith) Cunningham. He married Bertha Nadeane Gray on Nov. 11, 1955 in Wood River, IL. Mr. Cunningham was a U. S. Army Veteran of WWII. He was employed by and retired from the City of Edwardsville water department as part of the maintenance crew. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1561 in Edwardsville, Disabled

American Veterans, American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees -A.F.LC.1.O., Laborers Local #179. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Mr. Cunningham is survived by a sister, Nellie Schlemer of Edwardsville. He is preceded in death by his parents; stepson, Randy Baker; brother, Arthur Cunningham; a sister, Alvera Jones. Mrs. Cunningham was born on Mar. 12, 1924 in Wood River, IL, the daughter of Edgar

Michael and Ida Mae (Mathis) Gray. She graduated from Wood River High School in 1942. She attended Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. She was employed as a dental assistant for Dr. Leever in Wood River for several years. She married Murel Cletus Cunningham on Nov. 11, 1955 in Wood River, IL. Mrs. Cunningham was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Edwardsville. In her earlier years, Mrs. Cunningham was involved with drum and bugle corps drill teams. She enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and family.

Mrs. Cunningham is preceded in death by her son, Randy Baker and brother, Edgar “Mac” Gray.

Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are both survived by a son, Jeff Cunningham (Debbie) of Troy; 2 daughters, Beth (Thomas) Metcalf of Wood River; Cherie Sedlacek of Edwardsville; a daughter-in-law, Marilyn Baker of Texas; 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Joint funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham will be held Wed., Oct. 25, 2006 at 11 a.m. in Perfetti Funeral Home in Sorento. Pastor Tim Broihier, minister of the church, will officiate Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery in Sorento. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. in First Assembly of God Church, 417 St. Louis St., in Edwardsville. Memorials to the care of the family.