Annabel Cunningham, 99, died Friday, May 16, 2014. She was born January 18, 1915, in Polo, Illinois, to Bertha (Gilbert) and Henry M. Stauffer. On October 6, 1933, she married John Cunningham, Jr. and to this union were born three children: Carolyn (Kenneth) Hillsten, Dean (Nancy) Cunningham, and Sylvia (Thomas) Howell. John and Annabel farmed for over 40 years in the Polo area, moving into Polo in 1981 for retirement.
Annabel was a lifelong member of the Church of the Brethren and was very active in the life of the church, teaching Sunday School, serving on many committees, and helping to cook many dinners.
She was the longest active member of the Polo Garden Club. She loved flowers and gardening, growing many varieties and happily sharing them with others.
For over 20 years Annabel was a 4-H leader mentoring many students, and providing leadership to adults through the Ogle County Extension Service.
She was predeceased by her husband John, her parents, four brothers and spouses Wilbur (Elvina), Robert (Hazel), Harold (Pearl), and James (Helen) Stauffer; as well as a granddaughter Monica Howell. She is survived by her children, her grandchildren Kevin Hillsten (Catherine), Denise Taylor (Jim), Jennifer, Alyssa, and Michael Cunningham (Kathleen), Alexander Howell (Priscilla Goble), Anthony Howell (Allison), Kim Mielonen (Veikko), Christopher Derner (Cathy); great grandchildren Brian Hillsten (Ashley), Troy Hillsten, Nichole Dean, Veikko, Megan, and Jenna Meilonen, Mick and Zach Derner, and Alissa McCaffrey (Ryan); and two great-great grandchildren Braden Hillsten and Madison Dean.
Visitation was Monday, May 19, 2014, at Polo Church of the Brethren at 1:30 p.m., prior to the funeral service at 2:30 p.m.. Burial followed at Fairmount Cemetery.
Memorial donations for Annabel Cunningham may be made to any of the following: Polo Church of the Brethren, 401 S. Congress Ave., Polo, IL 61064; Polo Ambulance Fund, c/o Polo Fire Department, 200 So. Franklin Ave., Polo, IL 61064; Ogle County 4-H Foundation, P.O. Box 293, Oregon, IL 61061; or Polo Community School Foundation, Polo Community Unit School District #222, 100 Union Avenue, Polo, IL 61064.
Condolences may be sent to pffh.condolences@gmail.com on the Internet.
