Dale Marie (Weyand) Cunningham

Dale Marie Weyand Cunningham died July 10, 2020 in her home surrounded by her children. Born August 31, 1921 in Cleveland, Ohio, only child of Joseph Lewis  and Nell Heinze Weyand. 
 

A private family celebration of her life will be observed July 15, 2020 10 AM at First Presbyterian Church Hannibal with entombment at Greenwood Cemetery-Palmyra Mausoleum in Palmyra, MO.
 

Her love of God, family, church and community was omnipresent. The Fourth of July was one of her favorite holidays celebrated with family in Hannibal, MO. 
 

Dale graduated from Palmyra High School and attended the University of Missouri where she met the good-looking MIZZOU fullback, Bill Cunningham.  They married on April 24, 1942 and celebrated 68 years of marriage. They moved 25 times in 23 years during Bill’s military career looking first in each community for their new church home. They brought their family to Hannibal in 1964.Dale helped her husband and five children graduate from college. She gave her family unconditional love while proof reading their term papers. 
Dale had a loving servant’s heart. James was her favorite book of the Bible “faith without works is dead” To that end, she strived to live out her faith serving in a variety of roles. Participation in Prayer Fellowship and the OpenDoor Sunday School class brought her great joy. Name the church role, Dale likely would have done it. She enjoyed weekly Bible Study “Brown Baggers” at Fifth Street Baptist Church.  Dale was an active member of PEO, Chapter JH. Serving her community was reflected in her volunteer roles with the Hannibal Concert Association, Hannibal Arts Council, Jane Clemens Neighbors, Mark Twain Museum, HLG Connectors, and partnering with Hannibal Regional Auxiliary volunteers Bob Martinson and Charlie Atwell installing Life Lines throughout the region. She was a Villager at Luther Manor Village where she leaves her new OLDfriends and scrabble players. 
 

Dale is survived by her children: Ann (David) Westmeyer Denver CO, Ellen (Bill) Shrum Ames IA, Mary Cunningham Columbia MO, Jim (Javier Trujillo) Cunningham Houston TX, and Bill (Cheryl) Cunningham Palmyra, MO.  Grandchildren: Anne Shrum Dallas TX, David Westmeyer Denver CO, Michael (Rebecca) Shrum Charlotte NC, Caitlin (Patrick) Anderson Palmyra MO, Clay Cunningham (fiancé Alexis Hudson)Palmyra MO. Great grandchildren; Theodore, Thomas and Liz Shrum and Camille and Lydia Anderson. Special “sister”, Marie Menge Live Oak TX. Neighbor extraordinaire, Sandy Hicks. 
 

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents and infant son, William Michael Cunningham Jr. 
Job well done. Good and faithful servant. 
 

Memorials in celebration of her life may be made to First Presbyterian Church 120 N Sixth Street Hannibal, MO 63401 or Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum 120 N Main Street Hannibal, MO 63401. 
 

The celebration of her life will be live streamed at 10 AM July 15, 2020 at www.fpchannibal.org Click on the Join Us Live Here tab found in the middle of the home page. The celebration will also be available for viewing July 15th  afternoon at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com.

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