The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
May 11, 1999 - Tuesday, pg A2 col 1
THOMAS W. CUNNIFF
Rock Falls: - Thomas W. "Woody" Cunniff, age 81, of 8919 Cunniff Road, Rock Falls, died Sunday afternoon (May 9, 1999) at The Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Prophetstown.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be Thursday, May 13, 1999, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Tampico, with the Rev. F. James Larson, officiating, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Tampico.
Visitation will be Wednesday, May 12, from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tampico with Rosary being recited at 5:30 p.m. and a Wake service at 8:30 p.m. Funeral arrangements were completed by the Garland Funeral Home in Tampico.
A memorial has been established in his memory to the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tampico and the Tampico Ambulance in lieu of flowers.
Mr. Cunniff was born May 25, 1917, in Hume Township, the son of Thomas and Louise (Dietz) Cunniff. He was united in marriage to Barbara Stewart on Dec. 27, 1941, at St. Mary's Church in Tampico. She preceded him in death on June 26, 1994.
He attended Hume Center Grade School and graduated from Community High School in 1934. He farmed the family farm in Hume Township for 60 years until illness forced his retirement.
He was active in 4-H, Rural Youth and enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball for many years. He then coached the Hume 4-H and Prophetstown Feed Mill softball teams. He enjoyed sporting events and people.
He was one of the original members of both the Hume 4-H Club and Rural Youth organizations. He was a lifelong member, trustee and Eucharist Minister of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tampico; he also served as a church usher for many years. He served many years on the Ambulance Board and Tampico Farmer's Elevator Board.
He was an insurance agent and a board member of the Prophetstown Farmers Mutual Insurance Company.
He is survived by one daughter, Mary Cunniff Jagers of Annawan; two sons, Paul (Becky) Cunniff of Rock Falls and Michael (Laurie) Cunniff of Ottawa; one sister, Helen Cook Sleeper of Sterling; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Barbara in 1994 and one son Philip in 1972.
This is a paid obituary.
