Mary Ellen Cunningham

Services for Mary Cunningham were held 12:00 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2012 at Panther Creek Church of the Brethren in Adel, Iowa. Hastings Funeral Home in Perry was in charge of arrangements. Words of comfort were provided by Pastor Dave Kerkove of Panhter Creek Church of the Brethren. Her casket bears were Alan Oneal, Norman Stine, Ed Swinger, Alan Wicks, Dave Lantz, and Carroll Snyder. Dave Garoutte was an usher and pianist, Donna Emmert provided music for the congregational singing. The hymns were "How Great Thou Art", "The Old Rugged Cross" and "In The Garden". Interment was at Panther Creek Cemetery in Adel. After the burial there was a time of refreshments and fellowship at the church. Mary Ellen Cunningham, daughter of Theodore Messamer and Beulah Zellers Messamer, was born May 30, 1924 in Colfax Township, Dallas County near Minburn and died February 18, 2012 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa at the age of 87. Mary went to school at Washington Township School and graduated in 1940. She played basketball during school. Mary was united in marriage with Marvin Paul Cunningham November 22, 1945 at the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren in Adel, Iowa. The couple became parents of four children Regina, Pat, Dan, and Ken. They lived on a farm near Adel for three years before moving to a farm near Perry in 1949. Mary helped on the farm and she cleaned for others. Mary liked to watch home high school basketball games and Iowa State basketball games on T.V. She was an avid reader and gardener. She enjoyed starting many of her plants from seed. Her greatest enjoyment was her children and grandchildren. Mary was active in her church; she was in the Ladies Aid, helping with funeral lunches and various activities of the group. Mary is preceded in death by her husband in 1996, her parents, Sisters: Hazel Price, Lois Robinson, Lucille Diddy and Faye Mitchell, brothers; Tim Messamer, and Ted Messamer. Mary is survived by her two daughters Regina "Jeannie" Andrus, Gail "Pat" Benki both of Des Moines, two sons Dan (Deb) of Polk City and Ken (Leigh) of Perry; two brothers: Phil Messamer of Russell, Iowa; and Charles (Lottie) Messamer of Indianapolis, IN; her sister Jessie Blomquist of Stuart, a sister-in-law Darlene Messamer of Dallas Center, IA: and seven grandchildren: Gary (Casey) Hameister, Su Cora Hameister, Eric Benki, Danielle (Curtis) Malone, Jessica Cunningham, Dylan (Jamie) Cunningham, and Cole Cunningham. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Anthony, Suzanna, Jonas, Delanee, Devin, and Charlie; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Memorials are suggested to her church or to the Perry Library and may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home, in Perry. www.hastingsfh.com