TRAVERSE CITY - Rev. Bruce B. Cunningham of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away January 19th at his home in Leelanau County. He was 94.

Born in Buffalo, New York, to Ralph and Hazel (Short) Cunnigham, Bruce earned a B.A. from Wooster College in Ohio and a M.A. from the University of Arizona. He graduated from McCormick Seminary in 1954 and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA in Orchard Park, New York, also in 1954.

Bruce began his career as a minister in Montana and Arizona. He taught high school History and Ethics, and later taught Chinese and Russian History at Kalispell Junior College. After leaving teaching, his focus returned to the ministry, and he began work in the field of Interim Ministry.

He was the beloved husband of Rev. Carla Cunningham, who survives. After they were married, they became a team of Interim Ministers and spent 30 years helping churches throughout the country work through conflict and everyday life in the church.

They served churches across the country from the mountains of New Mexico to the southern part of Florida and in between, striving to make a difference in the lives of the people they served. In reality, it was each congregation that taught them so much.

Bruce was the father of four children: Dr. Barbara (Dr. George) Ball of Tucson, AZ, Robert (Sandi) Cunningham of Tucson, AZ, Kimberly (Michael) Grigsby of Albany, Oregon, Stuart ( Julie) Cunningham of Bozeman, MT; all of whom survive.

He is also survived by stepdaughters Liz (John) Storey of Northport, MI, Sara (Douglas) Harris of Chelsea, MI, Amanda (Mark) Bosco of Scottsdale, AZ, and stepson Carl (Priscilla) Schwarze of Chelsea, MI and many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Grandchildren: Dr. Jeffrey (Rebecca) MacEwen of Columbus, MT, Jamie (Dustin) Duke of Tucson, AZ, Jessica (Daniel) Mills of San Antonio, TX, Alexandra (Coogan) Matteson of Adair Village, OR, Matthew Grigsby of Albany, OR and Logan Cunningham of Bozeman, MT.

Step-Grandchildren: Molly ( John Taylor IV) Storey of Chicago, IL, Nick Harris of Lake Orion, MI, Nate (Elizabeth) Schwarze of Grosse Pointe, MI, Cam Storey of Portland, OR, Matt (Danielle) Schwarze of Traverse City, MI, Mike Bosco of Scottsdale, AZ, Dr. Emily (Mark) Socks of Clarkston, MI, Krystin (William) McDonald of San Diego, CA, Abbey Bosco of Traverse City, MI and Anna Storey of Chicago, IL.

Great Grandchildren: Rhyse MacEwen of Columbus, MT and Zane MacEwen of Columbus, MT.

Step-Great Grandchildren: Henry Schwarze of Grosse Pointe, MI, Lucas McDonald of San Diego, CA, Hunter Schwarze of Grosse Pointe, MI, Lynlee Schwarze of Traverse City, MI, Owen Socks of Clarkston, MI, Hailey McDonald of San Diego, CA, Hayden Schwarze of Traverse City, MI, Mary Kate of Grosse Pointe, MI, Austin Socks of Clarkston, MI and Emmy Mae Schwarze of Traverse City, MI.

Bruce’s former wife and mother of two of his children, Charlene Wolfe, also survives.

A celebration of Bruce’s life will be announced at a later date.

Please share condolences with Bruce’s family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.