Lewis Carey Cunningham, II

Lewis Carey Cunningham, II, age 98, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, surrounded by his family. On August 23, 1927, Lewis was welcomed into the world by his late parents, Lewis Carey Cunningham and Effie Marie Kehwhacker, in Marion, OH. Lewis married his first wife, Donna Marsh, for 62 years. After her passing he remarried to Thelma Johnson. She would pass away and he would remarry Marilyn Schillinger. She too would leave his side after passing.

Lewis was graduated high school and went on to serve in the United States Navy during the end of WWII. He would go on to work for the Erie/Lackawana Railroad Company for 40 years as a chief clerk to the superintendent before retiring. Lewis loved his family without a doubt. In his free time, he liked to ride motorcycles and racing motorcycles. He also watched motorcycle racing and car races. He had knack for woodworking and made all kinds of items from rocking chairs and chests to clocks. Being in the Navy, he loved the water and going fishing. He enjoyed golfing so much that he golfed up to his 96th birthday. Lewis also had a passion for music and played harmonica and was teaching himself to play the mandolin. He also was a member of the Lion’s Club.

Lewis is preceded in death by his parents, wives, sons, Walter L. Carroll, John Cunningham, and Steven Cunningham, brothers, Bob, Jim, Loren, Dale and Doyle Cunningham, sisters, Joan Cole, and Iris Cunningham and his stepson, Ben Moore.

He is survived by his daughter, Helen (Cecil Griffith) Phelps, sons, Donald and James Cunningham, brothers, Marty (Bonnie) Cunningham and Charles Cunningham, sisters, Linda (Bill) Alley and Marsha (Andy) Ferris, grandchildren, Brian (Nadonna), Paul (Trish), Steven (Amanda), Michael (Amanda), Tony, Trina (Crystal), Kim (Ken), and Donna, stepsons, Steve (Christy) Moore and Tom Moore, and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Cunningham family would like to invite all who knew Lewis to join them for calling hours at the Boyd Funeral Home on Monday, April 6th, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The memorial service will be held immediately following the calling hours. There will be a burial at the Riverside Cemetery in Columbus, OH at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. The family would like to give a special thanks to Kim Coley from Steve’s Dakota Grill for her making Lewis a meatloaf every week. Also, they would like to thank cousins, Brenda and Bob Williams, for their help through all the difficult times.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lewis Carey Cunningham, II, please visit our floral store.