Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Sunday

February 5, 2012

Ellen Coral Cunningham

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TRAVERSE CITY — Ellen Coral Cunningham, 93, of Traverse City, passed away Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Munson Medical Center.

Ellen was born at her family home on Dec. 25, 1918, to the late Jacob and Nora (Morse) Spencer in Nelma, Wis. Her father always told her that they woke up on Christmas morning and she was under the tree.

On June 17, 1943, Ellen married Clifford "Paul" Cunningham, who preceded her in death in 2009 after 65 years of marriage.

Ellen enjoyed her job as a custodian for the Traverse City Area Public Schools and after many years retired in 1980.

In her spare time Ellen enjoyed dancing, drawing and playing the harmonica. She loved the outdoors and had fun traveling around Michigan and Idaho with her husband in their camper. She had quite the stone collection, a hobby her daughters have acquired themselves. She also had a fond heart for animals, loved cats and watching Animal Planet.

Ellen was also active with the Traverse City Senior Center and was a member of the Buckley Old Engine Club. She also loved to wake up, have a cup of coffee and read the newspaper. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband; parents; siblings, Nina Zeits, Arvilla Stockfish, Veronica Lewis, Carmel Glass and Seab Spencer and their spouses; and daughter, Penny Nowaczyk and her spouse; and infant grandson, Clayton Bradley Foltman.

Ellen is survived by her daughters, Faye Cunningham, of Traverse City, Linda (Leon) Schworm, of Traverse City, and Rita (Bradley) Foltman, of Boise, Idaho; six grandchildren, Daren Brownell, of Houghton, Tricia (Gus) Kirkish, of Houghton, Kevin (Tammy) Rompola, of Laramie, Wyo., Ryan (Kathy) Rompola, of Katy, Texas, Sarah Foltman, of Boise, Idaho, and Laura (Kenny) Slough, of Philadelphia, Pa.; great-granddaughter, Logan Rompola, of Laramie Wyo.; great-grandsons, Carter Rompola, of Laramie, Wyo., and Roman Rompola, of Katy, Texas; sisters, Marvel LaFranier and Wilma Schwind; and brother-in-law, Ferris Glass.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Burial will be held in the spring at Evergreen Cemetery in Kingsley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Ellen may be directed to the Grand Traverse Pavilions.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to family friends, Jan Oudemolen and Allison Martin for their many years of friendship and care, and their appreciation to the staff on Cherry at the Grand Traverse Pavilions and the staff at Munson Medical Center for their exceptional care.

Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family.

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