Charles F. Cunningham Jr 1925-2013

CUNNINGHAM, KIEF

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/28/2013 at 11:01:40

Sioux City Journal
22 January 2013

Charles F. Cunningham Jr., 87, of Sioux City passed away Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at a local hospital.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Kevin D. Vogts officiating. Interment will be in Logan Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present at 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Charles was born in Sioux City, on Sept. 25, 1925, to Charles and Kathryn Cunningham. He attended Sioux City public schools, graduating from Central High School in 1942. Charles was an amazingly resourceful person. As a child growing up during the Great Depression, he always had an urgent sense about earning a living. He was a man of unique ideas and action. He always had a joke or story to tell or a creative idea to talk about. He loved old cars and antiques. He often had new found treasures in the trunk of his car to share when he could.

Charles served the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II, fighting during the Battle of the Bulge. Immediately following the war, while still occupying Germany, Charles met his wife Ella "Ellie" Kief at a local carnival. Amid the post-war chaos, Ella was shocked to find Charles at the front door of her grandparents' home. As was his nature, his resourcefulness helped him find her. They were married for 66 years.

Charles worked in the meat business most of his life. He was owner and operator of City Wholesale Meats in Sioux City providing specialized meat cuts to local restaurants. In 1969, he expanded his company to provide specific meat cuts to national restaurant accounts. He retired in 1974. Later, he started Meat Management Consultants. He helped establish meat processing plants overseas. He was one of the last Americans coming out of Iran prior to the Iran Hostage Crisis. The hostages were taken the day after he returned to the United States. Currently, he was co-owner of The Butcher Shop on the corner of Seventh and Pearl streets with his son Mike. The store is marked with a giant cow on top of the Butcher Shop sign. He had daily morning coffee with his friends at the Hamilton Hy-Vee, and went to work at the butcher shop daily until his illness.

Charles and Ella had four children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His family was his top priority. He will be remembered for his devotion, wit and telling it like it is.

Charles is survived by his wife, Ella; sisters, Frances Mikkelsen and Joyce (Don) Krone; daughter, Nancy Sweeney; sons, Steven (Julie) Cunningham and Michael Cunningham; grandchildren, Jessica Smith, Holly (John) Swanson, Andrew (Holly) White, Heath Cunningham, Jane Cunningham; and great-grandchildren, Tasha and Ronin Smith, Jonas and Jack Swanson, Addison, Teagan and Reece White.

Charles was preceded by his parents, Charles and Kathryn Cunningham; brothers, Fred and Robert (Shirley) Cunningham; daughter, Shirley Smith; and brother-in-law, Carleton "Mike" Mikkelsen.