Melva J. Cunningham

Melva Jean Cunningham, 83 of Manville passed away Monday (December 22, 2025) at the ARC of Streator.

A visitation will be held Sunday (Dec. 28th) from 2 – 5 P.M. at the Winterrowd Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Monday (Dec. 29th) at 11 A.M. at the funeral home with son-in-law Mark Loudon and Rev. Tony Ross officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Ottawa.

Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Anthony Cunningham, Tony and Ryan Zmia, Kendall Loudon and Carson and Clayton Shinkey.

Melva was born on July 22, 1942, in McLeansboro to Vernor and Margaret (Heil) Perry. She married Don Padgett in July of 1965, he preceded her in death on December 26, 1969. She later married Glenn Cunningham Sr on December 11, 1979. He preceded her in death on December 20, 2013.

Surviving are, Glenn Cunningham Jr of Streator, Cindy (John) Zmia of Streator, Cheryl (Mark) Loudon of Cornell, Marshall “Mark” Padgett of Manville and Elizabeth (Ryan) Shinkey of Streator, grandchildren, Troy (Ashley) Cunningham-Soltis, Scott (Olivia Magana) Hays, Anthony, Michael and Andrew Cunningham, Leigh Ann (Mike) Vickers, Tony (Angela) Zmia, Ryan (Bethaney) Zmia, Christina (Brian) Enderli, Caroline (Ben) Roeschley, Kendall (Bobbi) Loudon, Brent (Cassie) Melvin, Megan, Carson and Clayton Shinkey, 17 great grandchildren and a baby girl due in January, brother Bob (Linda) Perry of Massachusetts, sister Marie (Rod) Verdine of Ottawa, brother John (Ruth) Perry of Wisconsin, brother-in-law Virgil Taylor of Streator and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands Don and Glenn, sons Mark and Brian Cunningham, sister Joann Taylor and brother David Perry.

Melva attended Hennenville grade school and graduated from Streator High School in 1961 and also attended Liberty Beauty College in 1962 as a hairdresser. She retired from hairdressing at Fornoff Manor and Everett Towers. Melva was a member of the Central Church of Christ. She enjoyed attending all the grandchildren’s sporting events and spending time with her grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Central Church of Christ or the ARC of Streator.