Michael Wayne Cunningham

Michael W. Cunningham, 73, passed away at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 25, 2021 in Marietta, GA.  He was born in Effingham, Illinois on October 13, 1948, the son of Wayne and Rosie Cunningham.  Mike graduated from Young America High School in1966 and from Eastern Illinois University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Business. After serving in the Army from 1970-1972 he earned his Master of Business Administration in 1973 from Eastern Illinois University.  The University honored Mike with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010.

Mike started his career at Ernst & Ernst Public Accounting Firm in Springfield, Illinois in 1973 and continued with the company in several locations including Cleveland, Ohio and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A new opportunity took Mike to Integon Insurance Company as a CPA and quickly became Vice President/Chief Financial Officer of the company. In 1991 he became Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of ING North America in Washington DC, later moving to Atlanta, Georgia when the headquarters relocated. Mike also worked in Hartford, Connecticut and Toronto, Canada before retiring in 2006.

Mike married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Harbaugh, on June 1, 1969.  She survives, as well as 2 children, Chad Cunningham, Cumming, Georgia and Camille Henrichs (Matthew Henrichs), Marietta, Georgia, and four grandchildren, Aidan Cunningham, Dylan Cunningham, Joshua Henrichs and Katelynn Henrichs and sister, Candis Cunningham, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Mike was an avid golfer and often traveled to play. He was working on playing the top 100 courses in the world and managed to play 70 of them before he was no longer able to travel and play. Mike enjoyed time at his beach home in Amelia Island, Florida that he generously shared with friends and family. He was an active member of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church as well as Rick Bonfim Ministries. He attended many Bible studies and men’s ministry groups as long as he was able.

Mike was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2001 and managed aspects of that illness for many years.  He died from recent complications relating to Parkinson’s. Our family has appreciated the personal and professional care Mike received during his residency at The Solana East Cobb, Marietta, Georgia and the Agape Hospice Care.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorials may be made to:

Rick Bonfim Ministries 

Suite 104

1711 Meriweather Drive

Watkinsville,  GA 30677-9911

latterain.com

 

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

michaeljfox.org

 

Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am on Friday January 14th, at Mt. Bethel Church, 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta with funeral services to immediately follow at 11:00 am. Internment will take place in the Mt. Bethel Columbarium in a private family ceremony.