Charles F. Cunningham Jr.

Charles F. Cunningham, Jr. 87 of Sioux City passed away on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at a local hospital. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with Reverend Kevin D. Vogts officiating. Interment will follow at Logan Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 22nd from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home with family present at 6:00 p.m. and a Prayer Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel Tuesday evening. Charles was born in Sioux City, Iowa September 25, 1925 to Charles and Kathryn Cunningham. He attended Sioux City public schools graduating from Central High School in 1942. Charles was an amazingly resourceful person. As a child growing up during the Great Depression, he always had an urgent sense about earning a living. He was a man of unique ideas and action. He always had a joke or story to tell or a creative idea to talk about. He loved old cars and antiques. He often had new found treasures in the trunk of his car to share when he could. Charles served the US Army in Europe during WWII fighting during the Battle of the Bulge. Immediately following the war while still occupying Germany, Charles met his wife Ella(Ellie) Kief at a local carnival. Amid the post war chaos Ella was shocked to find Charles at the front door of her grandparent's home. As was his nature, his resourcefulness helped him find her. They were married for 66 years. Charles worked in the meat business most of his life. He was owner, operator of City Wholesale Meats in Sioux City providing specialized meat cuts to local restaurants. In 1969 he expanded his company to provide specific meat cuts to national restaurant accounts. He retired in 1974. Later, he started Meat Management Consultants. He helped establish meat processing plants overseas. He was one of the last Americans coming out of Iran prior to the Iran Hostage Crisis. The hostages were taken the day after he returned to the United States. Currently, he was co-owner of THE BUTCHER SHOP on the corner of 7th & Pearl St. with his son Mike. The store is marked with a giant cow on top of the Butcher Shop sign. He had daily morning coffee with his friends at the Hamilton Hy Vee, and went to work at the Butcher Shop daily until his illness. Charles and Ella had four children, five grandchildren, and seven great grand children. His family was his top priority. He will be remembered for his devotion, wit, and "telling things like it is". Charles is survived by his wife Ella; sisters Frances Mikkelsen, and Joyce (Don) Krone; daughter Nancy Sweeney; sons Steven (Julie) Cunningham, and Michael Cunningham. Grandchildren Jessica Smith, Holly (John) Swanson, Andrew (Holly) White, Heath Cunningham, Jane Cunningham; Great Grandchildren Tasha and Ronin Smith, Jonas and Jack Swanson, Addison, Teagan, and Reece White. Charles was preceded by his parents Charles and Kathryn Cunningham, brothers Fred and Robert (Shirley) Cunningham, daughter Shirley Smith, Brother-in-law Carleton (Mike) Mikkelsen.