JERSEYVILLE- Paul Maurice Cunningham, 75, died at 8:10 p.m., Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.He was born in Lake Villa, Il. on April 13, 1937, and was the son of the late John Maurice and Alma (Kleffner) Cunningham. Paul's father, John, passed away when Paul was three months old, and his mother moved the family back to the area.He attended St. Francis Grade School and Jersey Community High School both in Jerseyville. and served as a radioman with the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S. Saufley in the Caribbean Sea.Paul was employed for 37 years in the warehouse of Laclede Steel in Alton, and retired in 1996 after 37 years of service, and after retirement Paul enjoyed walking, woodworking, and following his favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals.He married the former Joann Schaaf on Sept. 19, 1959 at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville and together they have shared 53 years together and the joys of raising two daughters.Surviving are his wife, Joann Cunningham of Jerseyville; a daughter, Cynthia Stamper of Jerseyville; two grandsons, Corey Stamper & Codey Stamper both of Jerseyville; a sister, Marilyn Medford of Alton; a sister in law & brother in law, Edna & Edgar Short of Jerseyville; along with numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved daughter, Denise Lavonne Cunningham who passed away at the age of 9 on April 8, 1971; a brother, Donald F. Cunningham; an infant sister; his father in law & mother in law, William & Cora Schaaf; a brother in law, George Medford; a son in law, Curt Stamper; a nephew, Danny Cunningham; and a niece, Donna Bruns.Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where a Rosary will be recited at 3:45 p.m.A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m., Saturday at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father William Hembrow officiating.Burial will take place at the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Jerseyville.In memoyr of his daughter, Denise, memorials may be given to the St. Louis Childrens Hospital Hematology Department in care of the funeral home.
