Obituaries, April 9, 2023
Betty Jean Cunningham
Betty Jean Cunningham, 98, of Kokomo, passed away on Friday, April 7, 2023, at Century Villa Health Care in Greentown. She was born August 15, 1924, in Rochester, the daughter of late William and Maud (Slusser) Norris. On June 8, 1945, she married Joseph Cunningham who preceded her in death on October 23, 1973.
Betty attended Kokomo High School. She took pride in being a stay-at-home wife and mother. She attended all family sporting events, dance recitals, plays, and wedding showers. Along with sporting events, she enjoyed watching IU and Purdue Basketball. Betty was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Hart, Kathryn (John) Davidson, Janet (Jim) Varnau, and Angela (Don) Whitehead; sons, William ”Joe”( Paula) Cunningham, Thomas (Sandy) Cunningham, Robert (Kim) Cunningham and Gregory (Renee) Cunningham; grandchildren, Monelle ( Mike) Bergman, Shelley (Jason) Ramey, Aaron Hart, Melissa Acworth, Michael ( Maribel) Cunningham, Miranda (Rob) Rosemanith, Eric (Torrey) Cunningham, Joseph (Nuria) Varnau, Janelle (Scott) Lubensky, Jennifer (Chris) Nichols, Nathan Cunningham, Sarah Pyatt, Cameron (Olivia) Cunningham, Courtney (Kevin) Jewell, Kristen (Mark) Massengil, Melissa (Michael) Williams, and Megan Shacklee along with 35 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband Joseph, Betty was preceded in death by both her parents; her three brothers, Steele, Wade, and William Norris; sisters, Nylah Bogue and Jane Bishop; and two grandchildren, Jason Guest and Katie Cunningham.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1pm on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1229 N. Washington St., Kokomo, with Fr. Elliot Zak the celebrant. Burial will follow in Kokomo Memorial Park. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 am to 1 pm on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Betty’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. Patrick Catholic Church. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home in Kokomo.