Rose Cunningham

Rose Cunningham of Decatur died at 5:47 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, at Decatur Memorial Hospital with family by her side. Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at St. Thomas Church, Decatur. Memorials may be made to St. Thomas Church. Rose was born Nov. 1, 1916, in Eau Claire, WI, to Frances and Charles Gorell. She graduated from Wisconsin schools and received a master's degree in education from Millikin University in 1970. She taught for five years at the Little Red School in Wisconsin and later for 30 years in the Decatur Public School District. She substituted at St. Thomas School after retiring. She was an active member of Alpha Zeta Sorority and long-time member of St. Thomas Church. She was a prolific author, writing several books, poetry, and articles for Decatur newspapers. She married Herbert Cunningham in 1942; he died in 1970. Survivors include daughter-in-law Sibylle Cunningham of Decatur; grandson Daniel Cunningham (Aimee) of Decatur; granddaughter Andrea Hill of Decatur; great-grandchildren Andrew, Tyler, Sierra, Chance, Mikalia, Samarah, and Davin; great-great-grandchildren Alieva and Amyiah; and many nieces and nephews throughout the country. She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert; sons Sgt. Herbert Jr. (Rick) and Dennis Cunningham; daughter Patricia Cunningham; her brothers and sisters. "
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