Melvin Cunningham

Melvin D. "Mel" Cunningham, 87, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of rural Waverly and Cedar Falls, died Monday, November 13, 2017, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.  He was born July 4th, 1930 in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Maurice and Cathryn (Rohrig) Cunningham.

Mel was a graduate of Waterloo West High School and served in the U.S. Navy on the USS PCEC-866 during the Korean Conflict.  He worked at John Deere in Waterloo for over 30 years, retiring as a Supervisor in 1985.

Mel married Jean Ann Baumgartner on September 16, 1956 at St. John Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls.  They met at the Cedar Falls Rollerdrome, and Jean Ann's father was less than thrilled, it is told, when Mel showed up on his Harley to pick her up for a date. Nevertheless, they were happily married and had two children, Daniel and Susan. They later together designed and built their dream house in the trees north of Cedar Falls, next to the Cedar River. They spent many happy years feeding the birds, keeping the grounds, tending to Jean's flowers, and enjoying the nature around them. Mel and Jean treasured their friends in the St. John's "Breakfast Gang", and shared their joys and sorrows alike. His beloved Jean preceded him in death on December 29, 2004.

Mel was a "fix-it" guy, with a great passion for cars. On his own, he built a new garage at his house in Cedar Falls and sometimes pressed the kids into service to help bleed brakes or take out a windshield. He owned and managed Big Woods Auto, where he restored wrecked and classic cars and presided over insurance auctions.  After his retirement, Mel spent many an afternoon in the shop with his brother Don, friend Al Taylor, and brother-in-law Gary. They fixed cars, drank pop, and solved the problems of the world. Mel was rather famous for what his kids referred to as "the Frankenstein cars", cars that had been wrecked and fixed up for family use. They sometimes had quirks that required a little extra effort and ingenuity on the driver's part. He was also very proud of his classic Rambler Americans, and drove the '65 convertible in the Fourth Street Cruise.

Golf was another of Mel's passions. He built his own clubs and enjoyed the complexities of the game with his son, son-in-law Rich, and friends. He was especially proud of getting a hole-in-one at Byrnes Park. He kept that golf ball on a brass stand on a shelf of honor.

Mel was a gentleman, a wise-cracker, and a charmer who was fiercely loyal, and loved deeply.

He loved to give the grandchildren rides on his John Deere lawn tractor, took the boys mouse hunting on the "trap lines" in the basement, and taught them how to light the fireplace, sometimes, true to his welding roots, with a blowtorch.

Later in life, Mel met Mary Campbell and they spent many years together playing golf, socializing, and enjoying each other's company. Mary was a loyal and loving companion, and cared for him through his declining health to the end of his life.

Mel is survived by his son, Dr. Dan (Debra) Cunningham, of Montgomery, Alabama; his daughter, Susan (Rich) Burk, of Casper, Wyoming; four grandchildren, Kelly and Kathleen Cunningham, and James and Michael Burk; his longtime companion, Mary Campbell, of Swisher, Iowa, and many loving family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife; a sister, Jean Myers; a brother, Donald Cunningham; his mother-in-law, Elsie Baumgartner Stamp, and his brother-in-law, Gary Baumgartner.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 20, 2017, at St. John Lutheran Church, with burial at Fairview Cemetery, both in Cedar Falls.  Visitation will be 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home, and one hour before service at the church.  Memorials may be directed to the church or the charity of the donor's choice.  Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com