O bituaries

In Loving Memory of our Family, Friends and Neighbors

Alice Marie Cunningham

June 26, 1936 ~ June 10, 2023 www.beaconfh.com

Alice Marie Cunningham, 86, of Hart, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2023. She was born June 26, 1936, in Suttons Bay, the daughter of Ferdinand and Marion (Wahl) Eckerle.

Alice attended St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary and graduated from Suttons Bay High School in 1954. She attended Central Michigan University and earned her B.A. in Home Economics and Education in 1958. She also attended the University of Wyoming in 1967. She was employed as a Home Economics teacher for 35 years, starting for Hart High School in 1958 and retiring in 1993.

Alice was very involved in the local school system, including as a Junior Class Advisor, responsible for the Jr-Sr Banquet, Jr-Sr Prom, Sweethearts Ball, homecoming floats, (FHA) Future Homemakers of America advisor, a sponsored FHA State President, Sports Program support, and ticket taker for football and basketball games. She was also involved with the Michigan Education Association, serving as President of the Hart Education Association for several years, Chief Negotiator, a Bargaining Team Member with several multi-year contracts, and chairperson of MEA retired 13-B which serves Oceana, Mason and Manistee Counties. She was a lifetime member of the Michigan Education Association and the National Education Association, and she attended the MEA Representative Assembly as a retired member and the NEA convention as a delegate numerous times.

Alice received many awards, such as MEA Outstanding Education Leadership Award in 1993, Hart High School Athletic Department Award for Dedicated Service in 1975, Hart High School Student Body Recognition Award upon retirement in 1993, the Hart Education Association Recognition Award for 35 years of service, and the Michigan Education Association Recognition Award for 35 years of service.

For 34 years, her Home Economics classroom was right next to her husband’s history classroom at Hart High School.

Alice was also active in the local Hart community, serving as Assistant Voter Clerk responsible for voter registration rolls, and as head of poll workers responsible for all Hart City elections for over 10 years. She was also a member of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church since September of 1958, and was head of the funeral luncheon committee for many years.

Alice also had many interests, including Christmas and everything that went with it; she would decorate not only her home, but also her classroom at school. She also liked working outdoors with her flowers, especially her many rose bushes, and traveling; she and her husband, Jim, traveled throughout the U.S., from Miami to San Francisco, Los Angeles to New York City, and many points in between.

On Aug. 21, 1965, she married James “Jim” Cunningham, and he survives her after 57 years of marriage. She is also survived by: her brothers, Albert Eckerle, Jim (Shirley) Eckerle, and Tom Eckerle; sisters-in-law, Donna Eckerle and Mary (Howard) Sand; nieces and nephews, Leisa (Andy) Hankins, Chris (Gretchen) Eckerle, Jeff (Lisa) Eckerle, Brian Eckerle, Kirk Eckerle, Emily (Matt) Howell, Stephanie (Matthew) McFadden, Jeff (Sue) Attwood, Dale Attwood, Laurie (Jeff) Bensen, Sherry (Doug) Teggatz, Julie (Brad) Boyle, and Doug (Janna) Sand; and 31 great nieces and nephews; and four great-grand nieces and nephews.

Alice was preceded in death by: her parents; brothers, Gerald and Edward; sisters-in-law, Bernadette Eckerle and Margery Attwood; and brother-in-law, Donald Cunningham.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 17, 2023, at St. Gregory Catholic Church, 214 S. Peach Street, Hart, MI 49420, with Fr. Phillip Sliwinski presiding, The family will receive friends one hour prior to Mass, with a luncheon immediately following. Visitation will take place from 5-8 p.m., Friday, June 16, 2023, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, 2370 N. 72nd Avenue, Hart, MI 49420, with a praying of the Holy Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. Interment will be in Hart Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oceana County Community Foundation, St. Gregory Catholic Church or the Crystal Valley Care Fund.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

Obituary Information:

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