Donald E. Cunningham

Donald E. Cunningham, 88, of Mentor, died on August 4, 2024 at the David Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland. He was born November 12, 1935 in Leckrone, PA. A U.S. Army National Guard veteran from 1955-1961(2 years active, 4 years reserve), Donald worked as a Beachwood Police Officer for 31 years. He was appointed patrolman on February 16, 1957 and retired in 1988 as a Deputy Chief/Executive Lieutenant. Donald attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA in 1973. After retiring from the Beachwood police force he returned as a Beachwood Building Inspector from 1988-2004. His hobbies were motorcycles, hunting, home remodeling and repair, vehicle repair and landscaping. He enjoyed family, Dairy Queen ice cream, music from the 1940-1950’s, country music and old cowboy movies. Donald was the loving husband of Josephine for 68 years (they were best friends for 72 years). During those years his family grew, and he also became a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Survivors include his wife, Josephine Cunningham (Zentkovich); children, Teresa Paul (Danny Paul), Christopher Cunningham (Nereida (Soto-Sanchez)) Cunningham, Robert Cunningham (Kara (Ozan)) Cunningham, Nancy Cunningham, and Gregory Cunningham (Lea Ann (Radford); grandchildren, Cherise (Alexander), Rachael (Samuel), Sharlene (Steven R.), Brandon (Megan), Nicole (Steven R.), Shawn, Jessica (Juan), Adam(Amy), Carissa, Kaily(Seamus), Alissa, Ian(Cassidy), Abigail; great-grandchildren, Briana, Alberto, Joshua, Elias, Belin, Jordan, Brayden C., Autumn, Madelyn, Connor, Cameron, Felicity, Brayden Z., Donovan, Sunny; and his sister, Doris Codner. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Mary Cunningham; and his sister, Betty Cunningham. The family will receive friends to celebrate Donald’s life from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, August 24, 2024 at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. A time of prayer to conclude the gathering will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192, donate online at www.hospicewr.org. Please offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

Donald E. Cunningham

November 12, 1935 - August 4, 2024