Charles Cunningham

Graveside Service: Wednesday April 1, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sunset Memorial Garden Cemetery in Helena with full military honors.

Charles Ray Eugene Chuck Cunningham, age 89, of Miles City passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.

Chuck was born on September 12, 1919 in Campbell, Missouri, the son of Augustus and Hattie (Bolen) Cunningham. He attended school at Campbell Public Grade School and graduated from Chaffee High School in Chaffee, Missouri. At an early age, he learned to play the violin and music became his lifelong passion. He played his music by ear, and could play any stringed instrument he set his mind to. His Uncle Elmer, a violin maker, loved to hear him play. He made a special Fiddle for his nephew when Charles was still in high school. Following his schooling, Charles served in the Army Air Force during World War II as a synthetic trainer operator. He enjoyed performing Country Western music for the enlisted men whenever he could get a group of musicians together. He was playing a USO show in Spokane, Washington when he met his future wife, Berniece. Chuck married Berniece Lucille Merritt on October 3, 1942 in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. Following his honorable discharge from the military, the couple lived in Spokane, Washington until moving to Helena, Montana where he began his career with the State Employment Service. In 1955, he was transferred to Miles City, where he served as manager of the local employment service office until his retirement in 1976. He spent his retirement years in Hamilton, Montana where the couple purchased a residence with a small acreage and enjoyed gardening and raising their youngest daughter.

Throughout Chucks life, wherever he lived, he was always able to get a group of musicians together and continue with his music, playing for dances almost every weekend. He was a past president and life member of Musicians Protective Union Local 429, Post Commander of the American Legion, was a member of the Yellowstone Lodge #26 AF&AM, and was a Past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. He had an old-fashioned sense of humor, and could always make people smile.

Chuck is survived by his children: Beverley (Ron) Askin of Miles City, MT; Carolyn Angel of Bozeman, MT; Chuck (Janet) Cunningham of Clancy, MT; and Jean (Kevin) Fisher of Ocean Park, WA; eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Berniece, a brother Jack, a daughter Jacqueline, and a grandson Patrick.

Gravesides services will be held on Wednesday April 1, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sunset Memorial Garden Cemetery in Helena with full military honors. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Holy Rosary Extended Care, 2600 Wilson Street, Miles City, MT 59301 and designated for the Activities Fund.