Michael Cunniff
Michael Cunniff Obituary
Michael Cunniff, age 68 of Rock Falls, died Monday, November 6, 2017 at Good Samaritan in Prophetstown.
Michael was born on July 19, 1949 in Sterling, the son of Thomas W. and Barbara (Stewart) Cunniff. He was a 1967 Graduate of Newman High School. He then graduated from Sauk Valley Community College with an Associate's Degree and from the University of Illinois with a Bachelors in Science in 1972. Michael was a sports editor/writer for the Ottawa Daily Times, Sterling Daily Gazette/ Dixon Telegraph and Morris Daily Herald. He was awarded the "Illinois Sports Writer of the Year". He had cofounded the Ottawa Fast Pitch Softball League, was a coach for the Flex Gym Crushers for many years, and was an umpire for girls' softball. Michael was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. He was a Master Gardner of Whiteside County and loved flowers, especially gladiolus. Michael was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Tampico.
Survivors include, his daughter, Sarah (Josh) Cunniff Freeman of Chicago; his son, Ryne Cunniff of Ottawa; one sister, Mary Jagers of Annawan; one brother, Paul Cunniff of Rock Falls; two nieces, Amy Strohman and Stephanie VanHerzeele and three nephews, Matthew Cunniff, Jonathan Cunniff and Tom Jagers.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Philip Cunniff.
Visitation will be Friday, November 10, 2017 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at the Garland Funeral Home in Tampico with the Rosary recited at 4:15 P.M. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Tampico with Reverend Richard Russo officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Tampico. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Samaritan in Prophetstown, Vitas Hospice and Loyola Medical Center in Maywood.
Visitation:
Garland Funeral Home, Tampico, Friday, November 10, 2017 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Rosary 4:15Mass:
St. Mary Catholic Church, Tampico, Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 10:00 A.M.To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Cunniff, please visit our floral store.