1934
Roswell
2019
Roswell K. Cunningham
April 23, 1934 — July 1, 2019
Roswell K. Cunningham, age 85, of Marshall died peacefully at his home on Monday, July 1, 2019.
Mr. Cunningham was born on April 23, 1934 in Marshall to Roswell K. and Alta (Yaudes) Cunningham. He was a lifelong resident of the Marshall area and had been employed by Post Cereal Company in Battle Creek for 35 years. In retirement, Roswell worked for Alwyn Downs golf course and the City of Marshall. Roswell also served the community as a volunteer Firefighter during the 1960's.
While serving with the fire department, he portrayed Smoky the Bear. He participated in local parades and at elementary schools to the delight of the many children. He also portrayed Smoky at the Post Cereal Plants during fire prevention week.
In addition to his playing, Smoky, he also portrayed Santa Claus and did Clowning at many private parties. Roswell was very crafty and enjoyed many different hobbies. He enjoyed building and collecting model cars, paint by numbers art projects, working on jigsaw puzzles and creating wooden, hand painted cartoon characters in his workshop.
Roswell enjoyed the company of his many friends that he made at his morning coffee group at the Marshall McDonald's Restaurant. He was very faithful never missing a day. Roswell loved following the Detroit sporting teams and was an enthusiastic Tiger fan. He also enjoyed hunting and his favorite fishing. Roswell had also served as a Boy Scout Leader in the Stuart Lake area.
In 1959, he married the former Jane L. Coats in Marshall. She preceded him in death on October 1, 2011.
He is survived by a daughter, Victoria "Tori" (Erik) Kepler of Leander, TX; sons, Scott (Jane) Cunningham of Lansing and Stephen (Elaine) Cunningham of Albion; grandchildren, Nathan, Jennifer, Chester James "CJ", Lillian, Mathew and Jessica; and 13 great grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, Roswell K. and Alta Cunningham; and a granddaughter, Cherie Rothwell.
The family will receive friends on Monday, July 8, 2019 from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Marshall Chapel of the Kempf Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. A funeral service to celebrate the gift of his life will be held 11 AM Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at the funeral home with Reverend James Codde officiating. Interment will follow in Oakridge Cemetery.
Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Charity of One Choice. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.
To leave a personal message and sign the online guest book, please visit www.kempffuneralhome.
723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
Mr. Cunningham was born on April 23, 1934 in Marshall to Roswell K. and Alta (Yaudes) Cunningham. He was a lifelong resident of the Marshall area and had been employed by Post Cereal Company in Battle Creek for 35 years. In retirement, Roswell worked for Alwyn Downs golf course and the City of Marshall. Roswell also served the community as a volunteer Firefighter during the 1960's.
While serving with the fire department, he portrayed Smoky the Bear. He participated in local parades and at elementary schools to the delight of the many children. He also portrayed Smoky at the Post Cereal Plants during fire prevention week.
In addition to his playing, Smoky, he also portrayed Santa Claus and did Clowning at many private parties. Roswell was very crafty and enjoyed many different hobbies. He enjoyed building and collecting model cars, paint by numbers art projects, working on jigsaw puzzles and creating wooden, hand painted cartoon characters in his workshop.
Roswell enjoyed the company of his many friends that he made at his morning coffee group at the Marshall McDonald's Restaurant. He was very faithful never missing a day. Roswell loved following the Detroit sporting teams and was an enthusiastic Tiger fan. He also enjoyed hunting and his favorite fishing. Roswell had also served as a Boy Scout Leader in the Stuart Lake area.
In 1959, he married the former Jane L. Coats in Marshall. She preceded him in death on October 1, 2011.
He is survived by a daughter, Victoria "Tori" (Erik) Kepler of Leander, TX; sons, Scott (Jane) Cunningham of Lansing and Stephen (Elaine) Cunningham of Albion; grandchildren, Nathan, Jennifer, Chester James "CJ", Lillian, Mathew and Jessica; and 13 great grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, Roswell K. and Alta Cunningham; and a granddaughter, Cherie Rothwell.
The family will receive friends on Monday, July 8, 2019 from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Marshall Chapel of the Kempf Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. A funeral service to celebrate the gift of his life will be held 11 AM Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at the funeral home with Reverend James Codde officiating. Interment will follow in Oakridge Cemetery.
Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Charity of One Choice. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.
To leave a personal message and sign the online guest book, please visit www.kempffuneralhome.
Visitation
JUL 8. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (EDT)
Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
Celebration of Life
JUL 9. 11:00 AM (EDT)
Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roswell K. Cunningham, please visit our flower store.
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