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MILFORD CUNNINGHAM

Milford E. Cunnigham, 96, of Wheeling, WV, passed away suddenly on August 17, 2014.

He was born September 30, 1917 in the Elm Grove area of Wheeling, a son of Elza L. and Mary Shaw Cunningham.

Mr. Cunningham was a 1935 graduate of Triadelphia High School, and was a 1942 graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He was a registered Professional Engineer, a life member of the National and West Virginia Societies of Professional Engineers, and was past president of the Wheeling Chapter. He was also a life member of B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 28, and a member of Christ United Methodist Church, where he served on the administrative board for several years, and served as a board officer.

He was a veteran of World War II, during which he served in the United States Navy, as a designer of electrohydraulic control systems. His designs were used on battleships and destroyers to quickly rotate turrets and aim the “big guns.” A 16-inch shell, weighing 2,500 pounds, could hit a target over 20 miles away, with the assistance of this technology. He received a letter of commendation for his efforts.

Mr. Cunningham was manager of Wheeling Steel’s Martins Ferry Plant, and was Manager of Engineering for the Wheeling Corrugating Division of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel for 16 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Dorothy; a brother Lee S. Cunningham; a sister Alma Watson; a brother-in-law, George T. Watson; and a brother-in-law, Lt. Robert J. Sauers.

He is survived by his son, Eric E. Cunningham and his wife, Lucia, of Miami, Florida; a niece, Brenda Stupak, her husband Edward, their children Travis and Nicole of Valley Grove, West Virginia; a nephew, Dr. Marshall W. Cunningham and his wife, Mary of Fredericksburg, Texas; a niece, Kimberly Cunningham of Shreveport, Louisiana; a sister-in-law, Millicent also of Shreveport; and his in-laws, the family Uribe Capetillo of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Friends will be received at Kepner Funeral Home, 900 National Road, Wheeling, WV (304.232.2732) from 10 a.m. until time of services at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2014, with the Reverend Judy Liston officiating.

Internment will be at Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Cunningham’s desire was that memorial contributions be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 1232 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003.

Personal condolences can be expressed at www.kepnerfuneral.com.

Military graveside services will be conducted by the Moundsville Honor Guard.

MILFORD CUNNINGHAM

Milford E. Cunnigham, 96, of Wheeling, WV, passed away suddenly on August 17, 2014.

He was born September 30, 1917 in the Elm Grove area of Wheeling, a son of Elza L. and Mary Shaw Cunningham.

Mr. Cunningham was a 1935 graduate of Triadelphia High School, and was a 1942 graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a BS degree in mechanical engineering.

He was a registered Professional Engineer, a life member of the National and West Virginia Societies of Professional Engineers, and was past president of the Wheeling Chapter. He was also a life member of B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 28, and a member of Christ United Methodist Church, where he served on the administrative board for several years, and served as a board officer.

He was a veteran of World War II, during which he served in the United States Navy, as a designer of electrohydraulic control systems. His designs were used on battleships and destroyers to quickly rotate turrets and aim the “big guns.” A 16-inch shell, weighing 2,500 pounds, could hit a target over 20 miles away, with the assistance of this technology. He received a letter of commendation for his efforts.

Mr. Cunningham was manager of Wheeling Steel’s Martins Ferry plant, and was manager of engineering for the Wheeling Corrugating Division of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel for 16 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Dorothy; a brother Lee S. Cunningham; a sister Alma Watson; a brother-in-law George T. Watson; and a brother-in-law Lt. Robert J. Sauers.

He is survived by his son, Eric E. Cunningham and his wife, Lucia, of Miami, Florida; a niece, Brenda Stupak, her husband Edward, their children Travis and Nicole of Valley Grove, West Virginia; a nephew, Dr. Marshall W. Cunningham and his wife, Mary of Fredericksburg, Texas; a niece, Kimberly Cunningham of Shreveport, Louisiana; a sister-in-law, Millicent also of Shreveport; and his in-laws, the family Uribe Capetillo of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Friends will be received at Kepner Funeral Home, 900 National Road, Wheeling, WV (304-232-2732) from 10 a.m. until time of services at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2014, with the Reverend Judy Liston officiating. Internment will be at Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Cunningham’s desire was that memorial contributions be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 1232 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003.

Personal condolences can be expressed at www.kepnerfuneral.com.

Military graveside services will be conducted by the Moundsville Honor Guard.