Dennis F Cunningham

Dennis F. Cunningham, 79, began his long journey into eternity at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday September 4, 2021, at Lima Manor.

Dennis was born on June 27, 1942, in Lima, Ohio, to the late  Clifford F. and Martha L. Cunningham. On December 29, 1963 he married the love of his life Joyce M. “Sam” Sweeney Cunningham who preceded him in death on September 1, 2021.

Dennis graduated from Lima Senior High School in 1960 and immediately joined the U.S. Navy and served for over 20 years as a cryptologist and Russian/Polish dual linguist. His family accompanied him in California, Washington D.C., Germany, Spain and Japan. He also served aboard the aircraft carriers Forrestal and Independence. After retiring from the Navy, he was employed by Otis Wright Trucking, Farm Service Center, and Adman/Hold it Systems where he again retired in 2002. Dennis was an avid target shooting enthusiast and belonged to Lima Sabres Shooting Association and the National Rifle Association. Cunningham loved the Lord, his country, wife and family, his dog, a black Labrador retriever named Baily, and his orange tabby cat, Pickles.

He is survived by his son, Steve (Jeannette Moening) Cunningham of Beaverdam; grandchildren, Jessica Marling, Tia Cunningham and Cody Cunningham; great-granddaughter, Marlee Cornett and Charlie Cunningham; brother, Keith (Carol) Cunningham of Lima sisters-in-law, Doris (Dan) Brickner of Elida, Phyllis Provanche of Wapakoneta, Beverly Sweeney of Vandalia and Carol Sweeney of Lima; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a joint visitation from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 7,2021 at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home.   The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at the funeral home. Rev. Ted Bible will officiate.  Entombment will be in Gethsemani Mausoleum, Lima, OH.

Dennis left with this parting message: “Life has been fun. See you all again some day.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Deb’s Dogs or The Salvation Army.

Arrangements handled by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, Lima.  Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com .