Bennett Craig "Ben" Cunard

1949 - 2023

Bennett "Ben" Craig Cunard, 74, of Ozark went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 23, 2023, at 12:34 a.m. He was born to Bennett and Nadine Cunard on March 2, 1949, at his family home in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Ben was a devoted son and loving brother who cherished his family. He was an honor roll student all through school and was known for being a "fixer." Throughout his life, he demonstrated a remarkable capacity to repair anything with an engine. He graduated from Missouri Valley High School in 1967 and went on to attend a year at Iowa State University for mechanical engineering. In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served during the Vietnam War as an airplane technician on the U.S.S. Coral Sea, returning to the U.S. in 1972. He was married to Sylvia Sprenger for 29 years and to this union was born Ben, Brad, and Cara. Ben worked as a mechanic in Nebraska before he and the family moved to Ozark, in 1991. In 2002, he met JoAnn Zimmerman. They spent 21 years together going on lots of long walks, traveling, and enjoying time with friends and family, especially the grandkids.

Survivors include his companion, JoAnn; the mother of his children, Sylvia; sons Ben and Jodi Cunard of Blair, Nebraska, son Brad and Tricia Cunard of Olathe, Kansas, daughter Cara and Bob Henderson of Spring Hill, Kansas; JoAnn's daughters, Trisha Martin of Bolivar, Jodi and Robb James of Heath, Texas; and eight grandchildren, Madi, Avery, Aiden, Cameron, Eva, Cole, Carly and Wade; also survived by five siblings, Claudia Cunard of Missouri Valley, Iowa, Kath and Tim Mickey of Logan, Iowa, Pat Fair of Spring Hill, Kansas, Dan Cunard of Spring Hill, Kansas, and Mark Cunard and companion, Glenda Oliver, of Logan, Iowa; multiple cousins, nieces, nephews and many beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bennett and Nadine Cunard, and brother-in-law, Paul Fair.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. An additional memorial service near the Cunard family home in Missouri Valley, Iowa is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Hennessy Funeral Home. All are welcome to attend either or both services.