Shirley Cunningham

Shirley Eleanor Koelling Cunningham, 86, left us on Sunday, October 27, 2024, due to cardiac failure.

She is survived by her sister Ruth Koelling DeBruine (Paul), and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Ida Koelling, her beloved husband Roger, her sister Gladys, and her dear friend Don Paul.

Shirley was born in Hoyleton, IL, on April 11, 1938. She graduated from Nashville Illinois High School in 1956. She attended Illinois Wesleyan University, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Music Education.

She married Roger Cunningham on September 10, 1966. Right after her marriage, she started her Master's program to further her education. She completed her Master's of Music at Northwestern University in 1968. Shirley also taught in the public school system for many years. She taught music to 7th-grade students and 2nd-grade students in Wellston, MO; Wauconda, IL; Cicero, IL; Weldon, IL, and Metamora, IL.

Shirley took a step back from teaching in the school system and began a new career in office work. She worked for RR Donnelly and Sons, Benson's Maytag, Johnson's Men Store, and Ginoli & Company CPA firm. She was also a certified massage therapist for thirty three years.

Shirley and Roger enjoyed traveling the United States and internationally. They tent camped at many state and national parks over the years. Shirley traveled to several European countries, Peru, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Russia, and China. Birding brought her joy during her many camping trips and wildlife walks wherever she traveled and she became well-versed in the calls of those birds. Additionally, she enjoyed wildflower identification and gardening. She found much satisfaction, joy, and peace in all that nature provided. She also derived joy and gave joy to her many friends who will sorely miss her. No one was a stranger to Shirley.

Shirley loved the fine arts. Her thirst for knowledge of culture never ceased, and music was one of her passions in life. She and her husband, Roger, taught beginning recorder classes throughout most of their lives. They played in several recorder ensembles and attended many recorder workshops across the United States. Shirley taught piano for many years and enjoyed seeing students blossom in their musical abilities. She was also an excellent flutist and played in four community orchestras. She was a member of the Illinois Opera League, the Peoria Symphony, and the Peoria Alumnae chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. She also participated in the OLLI program through Bradley University and organized some of the trips and programs. Shirley was an active member of the Universalist Unitarian Church in Peoria since 1969 and was an anchor of its excellent choir.

Services will be held on November 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Universalist Unitarian Church, 3000 West Richwoods Blvd, Peoria. Cremation rites have been accorded. Affordable Funeral & Cremation Services, Peoria,  has been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria at https://peoriauuchurch.org/ . To share a memory or send a condolence for her family, visit www.peoriafuneral.com.