Cunningham, Robert

Robert J. "Bob" Cunningham, 46, of O’Fallon, died Thursday, January 13, 2011 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. He was born March 17, 1964 in East St. Louis, IL, son of James and Rita (O’Haran) Cunningham. He married Sandra J. Schanz on October 17, 1987 in O’Fallon and she survives in O’Fallon. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Shannon Cunningham of O’Fallon and she is currently attending the University of Arkansas; his mother, Rita Gonzalez of O’Fallon; a brother, Chris (Jen) White of Fairview Heights; his mother-in-law, Mary Jane Korte of Trenton; his father-in-law, Donald (Christine) Schanz of Keysport; grandmother-in-law, Jane Renth of Mascoutah; brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Sonya) Schanz of Bethalto and Joseph Schanz of Mascoutah; step brothers-in-law, Craig (Dana) Korte of Damiansville and Rick (Tina) Korte of Summerfield; step sisters, Stephanie Gonzalez of Belleville and Billie Joyce Gonzalez of Washington; and Bob’s special friend, Tom White of Shiloh. He was preceded in death by his father, James Cunningham; his step-father, William Gonzalez; step father-in-law, Louis T. "Bud" Korte; step mother-in-law, Gail Schanz; and step brother-in-law, Michael Korte. Bob was a licensed funeral director with over 20 years of experience serving families in the Metro-East area and most recently was general manager at Hempen Funeral Home. He was a graduate of O’Fallon Township High School, attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and graduated with honors from St. Louis Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. He was a member of St. Nicholas Parish in O’Fallon, member and Past Grand Knight and District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus Council 4239 and was the Knight of the year in 1990. He was a member of Pope John Paul 1st and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Council 1829 Assembly and was Past Faithful Navigator; he was past president and member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Bob was a member of the St. Clair County Funeral Directors Assoc., the Illinois Funeral Directors Assoc. and the National Funeral Directors Assoc. He was a member of the Mascoutah Sportsmen’s Club, past member of the St. Clare School Board and a St. Clare Soccer coach. He was past trustee and an original board member of St. Clare School endowment fund; a past president of the O’Fallon City Cemetery Board; a past president of the O’Fallon Kiwanis Club; a past O’Fallon Booster Club T-Ball commissioner and a coach for the O’Fallon Little Panthers. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing and many other sports. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 15, 2011 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in O’Fallon with Rev. William Hitpas officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Shiloh. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, January 14, 2011 and from 8 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Saturday, January 15, 2011 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Drive, O’Fallon, IL. The Ancient Order of Hibernians will hold a service at 6 p.m. and the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will hold a Chalice Service at 7 p.m. Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Family Hospice, the American Cancer Society or to the donor’s choice and will be received at the church or Hempen Funeral Home who is in charge of arrangements.