Kyle Frederick Cunningham

Kyle Frederick Cunningham, age 80, of Kimmell, IN passed away at home on Wednesday, May 15 ^th , 2019 surrounded by his family. He was born on August 26, 1938 to Frederick & Rose Cunningham in Ligonier, IN. On October 26, 2006, he married Jean (Maloney) Speaker in Anderson, South Carolina.

Kyle was a lifetime area resident living in both Ligonier and Kimmell. He graduated from Ligonier High School in 1956.  Kyle was an area realtor and farmer throughout most of his life. He was an avid IU basketball fan and sports fanatic. His favorite hobby was raising, judging and attending rabbit shows. He was an American Rabbit Breeders Association judge for over 40 years and a former President of the Indiana State Rabbit Breeder’s Association. He also was a former Vice President of the NE Indiana Realtor’s Association. Kyle attended Wolf Lake Baptist Church. He loved traveling around the country for rabbit shows and enjoyed his winters in Florida with his wife in his later years.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Cunningham of Kimmell; five children, Michael & Laure Cunningham of Topeka, Kim Cunningham & Joan Clark of Palm Springs, CA, Dawn Irmscher of Fort Wayne, Leah & Jerry Bauman of Kendallville, Holly & Tim Dement of Brownsburg; two step-daughters, Beth Merriman of Belton, SC, Brenda Johnston of Williamston, SC; fourteen grandchildren, Justin, Jarod, Jenna, Heather, Ryan, Hunter, Grady, Lana, Brett, Warren, Ella, Riley, Max, and a new grandson due in September; two great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Emma; brother, Kent & Lori Cunningham of Ligonier; and a sister, Alice “Kay” & Stan Mithoefer of Lafayette.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a stepson, Brian Merriman.

A funeral service will be held in Kyle’s honor on Monday, May 20, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, IN 46767.  Pastor Dan Carlson will officiate. A private cremation committal will follow at Legacy Cremation & Remembrance Center. Burial will take place at Sparta Cemetery in Kimmell at a later date.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2019 from 2-6 PM at Yeager Funeral Home as well as an hour prior to the funeral service on Monday.

Memorial contributions are to the American Rabbit Breeder’s Association (ARBA) Youth Scholarship, P.O. Box 400 Knox, PA 16232 or Wolf Lake Baptist, 1133 Main St., Wolf Lake, IN 46796.