John A. "Jake" Cunningham, 92, a lifelong resident of Rock Island, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2017, at Hales Corners Care Center, Hales Corners WI.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 13, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rock Island. Burial will be at the National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, March 12, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 -7th Ave., Rock Island,
with a Christian wake service at 2:00 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Food Pantry.

John's life spanned almost a century. He was born July 26, 1924 in Prairie du Chien WI, the third of the four children of Louis Cunningham and Mary Pfiffner Cunningham. Though he grew up during the Depression he had only good memories of his childhood in Rock Island. He graduated from St Joseph's Catholic Grade School and High School; served in the U.S. Army in Burma during World War II; graduated from St Ambrose College, Class of 1949; and married Jeanne E. Dietz on April 29, 1950 in Rock Island. She preceded him in death on October 30, 2009.

He rose to Chief of the Force Development Office at the Rock Island Arsenal; raised five children and put them through college; was a long time, active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rock Island; and enjoyed a long retirement with gardening, bike riding, volunteering at the Sacred Heart Food Pantry, reading, and visiting his far-flung children and grandchildren. His entire family has been deeply blessed by his patience, strength, and love.

Surviving are his children (and spouses): Michael Cunningham, Greendale WI, Robert Cunningham, Dixon IL, Kathleen Cunningham, Worthington OH, and Peter Cunningham, Richmond VA; son-in-law, Joe Haggard, Worthington OH; grandchildren: Colleen (Nate) Rogers, Sheena (Brad) Koebel, Erin Haggard, and Sean, Teresa and Rajeev Cunningham; great grandchildren: Max and Eila Rogers, and Crosby Koebel; and many nieces, nephews, and other family.

John was preceded in death by his parents; wife; daughter, Barbara Jo Haggard; sisters, Mary Jeanne Lehnerer and Mildred Cunningham; and brother,
William Cunningham.