Jerry Lee Cunningham, age 88, of Ligonier, Indiana, passed away on May 16, 2026 at Avalon Village.

He was born at home in Ligonier on Aug. 23, 1937, to Robert and Mary (Neufer) Cunningham.

He was raised on a farm north of Ligonier and attended Perry School and graduated from Ligonier High School in 1956. While at Perry, he was the runner-up of the 8th grade ping-pong tournament. While in high school, he played basketball and was a member of the FFA Club.

Jerry married Judy Schermerhorn at the Brimfield United Methodist Church on November 18, 1961. He farmed for 57 years, many of those years with his son, Gregg. He drove a school bus for 19 years and was a part-time county reporter for the Dept. of Agriculture in Albion for 35 years. In 2001, he was awarded the Master Farmer Award by the Noble Co. Soil & Water Conservation District.

Jerry was always proud of his heritage. His great-grandfather, David, settled on a farm in Perry Twp. in the 1800s, coming from Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Five generations of farmers followed him, with each choosing a farm girl to marry. Jerry was always proud to watch his son, Gregg and grandson, Lyle, continue to farm the land after his retirement.

He also was proud that both grandsons graduated from Purdue — Lyle, the agronomist and Austin, the engineer.

He attended the Brimfield United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee and helped with noodle making and church dinners.

He traveled to many states by way of the Cardinal Menno Motorcoach on trips with his wife, the tour director.

Every morning coffee was a must at a restaurant where he met up with many friends and farmers. He enjoyed cruising the countryside, checking on the farms and looking at the crop growth. Many days, lunch at Kimmell was a highlight where he met more friends and farmers and always made sure he had a Butterfinger candy bar to eat along with a good sandwich. On Saturdays he enjoyed classic tractors on RFD and Purdue basketball games.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jack of Nappanee.

He is survived by his Wife, Judy Cunningham; children, Gregg (Terri) Cunningham and Angie (Dan King) Cunningham; grandchildren, Lyle (Jaime) Cunningham and Austin King; and great grandchildren, Lee and Drew Cunningham

The family wishes to thank the staff and nurses at Orchard Pointe, Kendallville, Parkview Noble Hospital, and Avalon Village for the great care they gave our beloved Jerry.

Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway S., Ligonier with Calling from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Riley Children’s Foundation, P.O. Box 3356 Indianapolis, IN 46206; Noble Co. Humane Society 1305 Sherman St., Kendallville, IN 46755; or the Brimfield United Methodist Church, 1027 E Summitt St., Brimfield, IN 46794.