Clear, 37° F
(Oct. 14, 2003)
Francis Marion (John) Cunning, 77, Gothenburg, Neb., died Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Tri-County Hospital in Lexington, Neb.
He was the father of Powell postmaster Johnnie Cunning.
He graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Commencement Bay during World War II.
He married Joyce Margie Rothrock Oct. 3, 1947, at Gothenburg. He drove truck for many years, retiring about 10 years ago.
He enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, working in his yard, his roses, feeding and taking care of his squirrels and the birds.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce, of Gothenburg; two sons, Johnnie Cunning and wife Beth of Powell and Michael Cunning and wife Brenda of Sutherland, Neb.; one sister; one brother; one sister-in-law; five granddaughters, Heather Cunning of Billings, Mont., Brandy (Grant) Walstrom of Portland, Ore., Amber (Dustin) Smith of Wayne, Mich., Chelsea Cunning of Wayne, Neb., and Jessica Lyon of Powell; and three great-grandsons.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Linda; and two brothers.
Funeral services are scheduled Friday, Oct. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Gothenburg. Burial is in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Neb.
Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church or the Shriner's Children's Hospital.
