Daniel Thomas Cunningham
71, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2013 of pancreatic cancer, which he bravely battled for nearly nine months. He was born March 21, 1942 in Indianapolis. Dan is survived by his daughters, Maureen, Karyn, and Michelle Cunningham and his son-in-law Robert Pratt. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Charles Gearns; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Patrick and Katy Cunningham, Francis "Lefty" and Sharon Cunningham; his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Carl McClelland; his brother, James Cunningham; his sisters-in-law, Marilyn Cunningham and Nora May Cunningham; and his numerous nieces and nephews. Dan was preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 38 years, Judith ("Judy") Cunningham; his parents, Edward and Bridget (née McGinley) Cunningham; his brothers, Michael, John, Charles ("Chad"), Edward ("Eddie"); and his sister, Cathline Mullin.
Dan was a graduate of Cathedral High School and Butler University, where he attended on a football scholarship. He began his master's degree at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and completed it at Indiana University-Purdue University. He started his teaching career in the Indianapolis Public School System and at his alma mater Cathedral High School, where he later served as Vice Principal. Dan spent the majority of his teaching career at Perry Meridian High School, where he taught English for nearly thirty years prior to his retirement in 2004. Many of his closest friendships were with his fellow teachers at Perry Meridian. Dan and his wonderful sense of humor will be missed greatly by his friends and family. He was an active member of St. Roch Catholic Church and a dedicated volunteer of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Dan drew strength from his faith during times of sickness and health, never complaining of his own pain or illness.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 23 at the Daniel F. O'Riley Funeral Home . Morning prayers will be said at the funeral home on Monday, June 24 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Roch Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73123-1718 or St. Roch Catholic Church, 3600 S. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46227. Online condolences may be shared with the family at orileyfuneralhome.com.
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When I had a car accident when I was teaching, he always called with encouragement and brought me roses.
Lennyce
June 18, 2022
I cannot believe it has been nine years since Dan´s passing. He was a great person, a fabulous teacher, and always had encouraging words for everyone. He seemed to know just know when those encouraging words were needed. My life was enhanced by working with Dan Cunningham. I truly miss the masked grammarian. He could be a very humorous man. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Barbara Taube Fasbinder
School
June 16, 2022
On the morning of our son Brian´s baptism at St. Ben´s church, Dan and his wonderful mother joined us for the ceremony. Halfway through the baptism a very inebriated older gentleman made a rather loud entrance into the church. Without pause Dan got up, walked back to the man, quietly talked to him and politely escorted him out the door. The man maintained his dignity, the baptism continued and Dan Cunningham became our superhero. We miss the stories, the laughs, and the love he brought with him wherever he went.
Mike and Sue Slack
Friend
June 16, 2022
We will miss you, Mr. Cunningham. Christine DeHart, PMHS class of 83.
Christine DeHart
July 2, 2013
RIP Dan. So sorry we didn't get to say goodbye. You were a good friend from NIFS.
Ray Hood
July 2, 2013
Jesse Thacker
June 25, 2013
Dan's smile will be greatly missed at the NIFS fitness center!
June 24, 2013
It's not easy saying "goodbye" to Dan Cunningham. I remember him as a cute little classmate in 1st grade at St. Catherine's. Our whole class was very tight-knit for 8 years and later on, as adults, we had several SCS class reunions. Dan & Judy attended one of them. They were an adorable couple. Dan accomplished so much in life and I'm so proud to have spent our growing up years together.
Marylou (Hoeping) Jordan
June 24, 2013
A dear St. Catherine classmate and lifelong friend will be truly missed. Barbara Kress Meisberger
June 24, 2013
Mr. Cunningham was my sophomore English teacher. He told me he liked my writing style, that I sounded like Erma Baumbeck. He gave me a book written by her. He was a very sweet man. I liked him a lot.
Alex Summers
June 23, 2013
Dan always greeted me with the biggest most genuine smile. Love and prayers for the beautiful Cunningham family.
Mary-Catherine
June 23, 2013
Sorry for your loss. Danny was a great person.
Joe Corsaro
June 23, 2013
Dan we miss you greatly You are an inspiration to all Your Hoosier 42 Toastmaster Club learned so much by your humor gentleness and courage We love you
Jack Rupp
June 23, 2013
Mary, we send you our sympathy at the loss of Dan. He lived his life to be sure, and will be missed. Prayers and thoughts to you and yours.
Pat & Alice Meisberger
June 23, 2013
I have lost my best friend.
I feel blessed though that he was part of my life.
We had lots of great memories both at PMHS and away from school. I will really miss him.......
Jerry Brown
June 23, 2013
Dan was one of the member of the Great Cunningham Family He was a joy to be around at our monthly luncheons Just a Good Man
Leo Braun
June 23, 2013
Dan was respected by so many of us - even if we never actually had him in class. Godspeed to the family... we loved you, Mr. C.
Ann Miller Albin
June 23, 2013
My condolences to his family. I remember having Dr. Cunningham for 2 different classes. He knew how to draw out the best in students with a few comical stories or comments and then it was time for his students to put that knowledge to the test in real life. Over the years he has touched countless lives and although he has passed, his legacy will not.
June 22, 2013
I had the great pleasure of working with Dan, at PMHS. He was one of the nicest people, that I have ever known. Always, a kind word, a smile, and a great sense of humor. He was part of our Friday morning breakfast group, and monthly retiree's luncheon. To say that he will be missed, is an understatement. "Love ya, Dan, the man!"
Judi Hart
June 22, 2013
Rick taught with Dan at PMHS for several years. Dan was very special to many. He will be missed. Our condolences to the family.
Paula and Rick Swengel
June 22, 2013
I had Mr. Cunningham for classes both my junior and senior years at Perry Meridian. One of the greatest lessons I learned in his class was that having a sense of humor can help you deal with the most difficult of people. I recall some of the comments he would write on my papers. These made me realize that he cared about his students as people, and not just how they performed in his class. He was a great teacher and a great person. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Julie Robinson-Brown
June 22, 2013
I had the joy of participating in Toastmasters for a few years with Dan. He was wonderful, humorous speaker and a great coach to younger speakers. Our sympathies to his family. May your memories sustain you.
Florence May
June 22, 2013
I had the pleasure of meeting Dan in 1996 when I joined the Perry Meridian High School English department. I also had the pleasure of being in the same "retirement class of 2004." Dan encouraged me and always expressed appreciation for my efforts with challenging students. His genuine smile, his sparkling eyes, his sincere words are missed. I send blessings to his family.
Judy Dietrich
June 22, 2013
our family lives across the street from Dan, and his family since 1972. He and Judy were wonderful neighbors, and he was always there for my parents. His quick wit was never ending, and he was always kind to us kids. We will all miss you Dan, and we will be here for the girls if they need anything. He will truly be missed.
Shawn
June 22, 2013
You were a great friend and teacher. Your humor brightened the lives of all of us!
June 22, 2013
Dan was a part of the Hill Family in his Cathedral and Butler days with our brother Mike. One of the most memorable things that Dan did in those days was to invite our dad to go with Dan to a father/son event. From that day on, he was another son in our family. My thoughts and prayers go to Dan's family, with memories of that great smile.
Pat Long
June 22, 2013
Dan was/is a blessing to all. Wanda Strange
June 22, 2013
Dan, You were a cherished friend and a most esteemed mentor. It was always a great gift to share time with you. The "masked grammarian" was the best comedy skit ever. You will be truly misssed but you left us with tremendous memories
Mike Tomey
June 22, 2013
My wife, Barbara, and I have lived next door to Dan for 17 years. He was a great neighbor and a very nice man. Our sincere condolences go out to Dan's family.
We will miss him and his cheery smile.
Larry & Barbara Heck
Larry Heck
June 22, 2013
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