Barbara S. (Stoffer) Cunningham

Barbara (Stoffer) Cunningham, age 85, of Homeworth, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 1st, with family by her side.

She was born March 4, 1934, the youngest of four children born on the family farm, in N. Georgetown, OH to Virgil Forrest and Bernice (Summer) Stoffer.

Barbara was a 1952 graduate of Alliance High School, as was her future husband, Arthur Murray Cunningham. In 1955, Barbara graduated from Aultman School of Nursing with an RN degree and that September she and Murray married, this past September celebrating 64 years of marriage.

Together they raised three children, Beth Cunningham, Jim (Lois) Cunningham, both of the Homeworth area and Jill (Tim) Swinger of Richmond, VA.

After graduation, Barbara worked at Alliance City Hospital, primarily in the OB Dept., and then after her children were well into school, she returned to work as a school nurse for the West Branch School District, a job she absolutely loved both for the work with area children as well as her co-workers.

In her free time Barbara enjoyed family camping trips to many National Parks, reading, a good day on the mowing tractor, walking with her husband and dogs and watching the multitude of wildlife around their country home.

She had been a member of Union Ave. United Methodist Church and, later on, closer to home, a member of the New Franklin United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir for many years. Her home became a haven for any stray animal that needed a loving home.

In addition to her husband and children, Barbara is survived by three grandsons, James Ryan (Jayme) Cunningham of Minerva, Joshua D. (Karen) Cunningham, of Chagrin Falls and Clay William Swinger of VA.  She is also a Great-Grandmother to Anna, Gavin, Rowan (who shared her birthday) and his brother, Elliot Cunningham and her beloved black lab, Molly.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, a sister, Katherine Brown, and two brothers, Lewis and Kenneth Stoffer.

Cremation will take place at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, with a memorial service for all friends at 11:00 a.m. Saturday. March 7th at The New Franklin United Methodist Church with Rev. Susan Bowman officiating.

Contributions in Barbara's name may be made to the church at 16540 Lisbon St. SE Minerva, OH or to the animal rescue of your choice.

Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance, OH 44601.