:quality(70):focal(368x281:378x291)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/73MSU6IIOBFYLOC3NG467O4CLI.jpg)
Thomas Dwight “Tom” Cunningham, 88, of St. Charles, passed away Friday, July 26, 2024, peacefully at his home.
Born on Sept. 25, 1935, near Saylorville Lake in Des Moines, Tom was a man of the land and dedicated his life to farming. Farming was not just his livelihood but his life’s passion. In addition to his work as a lifelong farmer, Tom also devoted over 20 years working as an electrician at Penn Dixie in Des Moines. His work ethic and dedication were second to none.
Tom served his country with honor in the United States Army as a member of the prestigious 101st Airborne during the Korean War, a period of his life he spoke about with pride. He was also a proud member of the Model Lodge #315 A.F. & A.M. in St. Charles.
Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Neva Cunningham; his son, Thomas Dwight Cunningham II; his father, Dwight Daniel Cunningham; his mother, Violet Goldie Cunningham; his brother, Jerry Cunningham and his sister, Maxine Cordelia Cunningham.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving daughter, Kristen Cunningham of St. Charles; his grandchildren: Tanner Cunningham of St. Charles, Tara Miller (Clint) Thilking of Napoleon, Missouri, and Tawnee (Miller) (Edward) Lundy of Greenfield. Additionally, he will be fondly remembered by other relatives and many dear friends.
Services to honor Thomas Dwight Cunningham will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, with Pastor Doug Helton officiating. The family will greet friends from 10 to 11 a.m., immediately preceding the service. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Thomas’s tribute wall beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday. Following the service, interment will be at the St. Charles Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to his family for a fitting tribute to be decided later. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com. Thomas Dwight Cunningham’s life was a testament to hard work, dedication and love for his family and the land he worked tirelessly. His legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew him.