Graveside services for Mendel Gene Cunningham, 68, of Tuttle, was held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, October 16, 2004 at the Fairview Cemetery, Tuttle.

Mendel Gene Cunningham was born May 24, 1936 in Frederick, Oklahoma the son of Albert and Matilda (Zeller) Cunningham and died Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at his home in Tuttle.

Mr. Cunningham grew up in Frederick, Oklahoma. He moved to Des Moines, Iowa where he attended school to become a heavy equipment operator. After completion of school, he worked in Grand Island, Nebraska for a year then returned to Oklahoma City and started his family. He worked for CMI and various road construction companies. Mr. Cunningham helped design the asphalt chipping machine at CMI. He had also worked on the crew that built the H.C. Bailey Turnpike among other projects. Mr. Cunningham moved to Tuttle in 1976 where he continued to work with heavy equipment and equipment repair along with some farming and welding.

After retiring in 1985, he enjoyed tending his guineas and enjoyed his family and great grandsons.

He was preceded in death by: Parents: Albert and Matilda Cunningham two brothers: Albert and Cecil Cunningham; two sisters: Marie Cunningham and Lillie Crenshaw.

Survivors include: one son: Jeff Cunningham of Tuttle; one daughter: Sheila Hibdon of Tuttle; one grandson and his wife: Michael James and Laurie Hibdon of Oklahoma City; one granddaughter: Kari Hibdon of Tuttle; two great grandsons:Brennen James Hibdon and Jacob Alexander Hibdon of Tuttle; one sister: Louise Gilcrest of Albuquerque, New Mexico; one sister-in-law Barbara Cunningham of Tyler, Texas; former wife: Irene Gourley of Tuttle; nieces and nephews.

Interment was in the Fairview Cemetery, Tuttle, under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home.