Oren Cunningham

TILTON – Oren E. Cunningham, 96, beloved family man and local businessman, passed away peacefully the evening of Thursday, April 16, 2020, at OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville, IL.

Oren was born at home on August 12, 1923, in Danville, IL to Earl and Wilma (Wertsbaugh) Cunningham. He married Pearl Nieminski on November 11, 1944, who preceded him in death on June 10, 1976. They had three daughters, Debbie (Paul) Shannon of Westville, IL, Vicki (Steve) Miethe of Tilton, IL, and Linda (Ken) Overacker of Watseka, IL, all of whom survive. Oren married Doris Carrigan on November 18, 1983, who preceded him in death on December 25, 2013.

In addition to his three daughters with Pearl, Oren is survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Grampsie.”  Grandchildren include Traci King, Eric (Kelly) Sherer, Angie (BJ) Orr, Amy (Nathan) Escue, Jami (Jon) Harwood, AJ (Amanda) Shannon, Kristi (Joe) George, Kari Jo (Kevin) Mikuce, Nick (Kelsie) Miethe, and Andrew (Nikki) Miethe.  His great-grandchildren include  Jordan (Ally Pierce) and Jayden King; Kylie and Evan Sherer; Jakob, Alexis, Aiden, and Alivia Orr; Parker and Jackson Escue; Austin and Ashton Shannon; Caden and Cooper George; Kamden Mikuce; Leighton and Waylon Miethe; Grant Oren and Grady Miethe; and his great-great granddaughter (Baby King), arriving in October. He is also survived by his brother, Robert (Roberta) Cunningham of Covington, IN, his sisters-in-law, Regina (Nieminski) Sabalaskey of Westville, IL, June Cunningham and Sandy (Gary Ward) Cunningham both of Danville, IL, several nieces and nephews, step-daughters and step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren with Doris, and his devoted dog, Silky. In addition to his wives, he was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Myron Cunningham of Bismarck, IL, and Dave Cunningham of Danville, IL, a brother-in-law Edwin Nieminski, two nieces, and three nephews.

He attended Bismarck High School and worked at various jobs before starting Mike’s Grill (named after one of his nephews) on Georgetown Road in Tilton – one of Vermilion County’s best known short-order restaurants – with his father, his brother Bob, and his wife Pearl in 1958. In the early years, Oren sometimes offered Christmas trees for sale in the lot next to Mike’s Grill. Oren sold the restaurant to one of his daughters (Vicki) in 1999, but remained active in the business, working the cash register until 2013 when failing eyesight finally caused him to retire. Oren continued his entrepreneurial pursuits by opening a popular drive-up ice cream shop, Mike’s Chill, in 1984, and then, subsequently, opening Mike’s Mini-Warehouses. Many nephews, nieces, and other local persons have a special place in their heart for this kind businessman who gave them their first job in one of his businesses.

Oren had a passion for watching stock car racing and horse harness racing, owning and/or sponsoring stock cars and horses over the years. He also enjoyed playing a “hand or two” of poker with friends and loved to visit the casinos in Las Vegas. Always an avid Chicago Cubs fan, Oren was thrilled to see the Cubs win the World Series in 2016.

The family would like to send a special thanks to Dr. Halloran, Dr. Dasgupta, Dr. Sekar, and all the Tilton EMTs who took care of him.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that memorial donations be made to Northwestern Kidney Foundation or the Vermilion County Animal Shelter in care of Sunset-Urbas FH, 414 S. State St, Westville 61883.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, visitation will be private. However, a funeral procession of cars to Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Danville, IL will leave Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Westville, 414 S. State Street, Westville, IL, at 1:45pm on Monday, April 20. The cemetery graveside service will start at 2pm, and all family members and friends are welcome (with 6-feet social distancing rules to be observed between attendees). Please join Oren's family in sharing memories on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome,com 

Although there are social distancing restrictions, you can click on the link below and record a personal video message of support that will be sent to the family. 

https://Send Hugs for Oren E. Cunningham

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.