Cunningham - George K. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

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Cunningham - George K.

Source: Camp Walters Longhorn p 5 Fri Nov 10, 1944  
by Cpl. Herbert H. Brin
Occasionally there comes to light the work of a soldier hidden in the manifold duties of an Army camp – which brings into sudden relief the importance of the work of the soldier who cannot fight because of physical handicaps. Take the story of Cpl. George K. Cunningham: he graduated from Crawfordsville HS and went to work in the Jones Drug Store in Crawfordsville.  While acting as a clerk in the drug store, he discovered a real case of flat feet.  His own. In order to keep his job, he purchased a pair of orthopedic shoes and thereby launches his amazing career.  “I somehow got interested in orthopedic shoes and how they helped a person get up on his two feet again,” Cpl Cunningham recalled. “I went to work for the shoe company that sold me my shoes. They sent me to the Orthopedic Institute in Danville, Ill where I learned the principles of correction for shoes. Soon enough he became manager of an orthopedic shoe store in Toledo, O.  His experiences were as varied as the sizes of men’s shoes. Cpl. Cunningham declared that the principle of proper fitting of shoes was to try to set up the balance and function of a foot to take out the pains in arch, heel and metatarsl.  “To a soldier, that means relief and the ability for him to do his duty,” he remarked. Prior to coming to Camp Walters in June 1943, he worked in an eastern arsenal where he fitted 15,000 workers with shoes, that dissipated all electricity from the body.  Any spark caused by a scraping shoe might touch off an explosion unless the shoes were specially designed. After two weeks of training here as an infantry replacement, he was placed in limited duty because of the physical condition of his own feet. He was immediately sent to the McCloskey General Hospital where he studied the art of manufacture of braces, returning to Camp Walters October 5, 1943, he set up a brace shop in the Station Hospital and has constructed over 700 orthopedic braces and appliances since.  The braces are all especially designed to aid in the orthopedic treatment of fractures, sprains and other disabilities. His shop is equipped with shoe repair machinery, a drill press, metal cutting lathe, power grinder and an acetylene torch.  No job is too intricate for him to handle. Recently a soldier required a brace support for the upper portion of the body. For six days, Cpl. Cunningham bent steel bars to fit the contours of the soldier’s body. The soldier was greatly relieved and is back at work, no longer requiring the intricate equipment that would have cost him close to $600 as a civilian.  My ambition, said Cpl. Cunningham “After the war I want to put soldiers back into civilian shoes – that fit!”

Source: Reno Gazette-Journal 25 July 1990 (Wed) p 16
A memorial service for G. Ken Cunningham, 77 who died Saturday at Washoe Medical Center of natural causes is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at St. John’s Presbyterian Church.  A native of Crawfordsville, Ind he was born April 3, 1913 and had lived in the area since August 1969 coming from Illian, NY.  Cunningham was a manager at Dunham Western Distribution Center and Riverside Manufacturing Company Distribution Center in Sparks, retiring in 1978 and was a member of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, an Army veteran of WWII and 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite. Surviving are several nieces and nephews.  Cremation will be at Reno Crematory under the direction of Northern Nevada Cremation and Burial Society.  A memorial is being established with the church, 1070 W Plumb Lane, Reno 89509.

Source: Montgomery County IN Birth Certificate #233 – Union Twp Montgomery Co – George Kenneth Cunningham
Father; Jesse Cunningham lives & born in Mont Co age 32 Dairy man
Inez Shields born/lives Mont Co House work 1st child 1st living born 4-3-1913 at 8 a.m. F Schenck dr.

Ohio Co Marriages
George Kenneth Cunningham – Mildred Maxine Krouse
27 years old on 3 April 1940 from C’ville Salesman Father: Jesse Mother: Inez Shields Mildred 25 on 8 oct 1940 b Kansas Ohio?  Father: Clifford Krouse Mother: Bessie French ?
They all lived 809 Market St – Jesse 1930 owns home – works at Gas Station – b Mo Home value $4000

Jesse WWI born 15 Sept 1881 works at Box Factory – Pioneer Box Co Elmore St. – Inez nearest relative – they lived 905 Prospect – medium height, stout brown eyes/hair
George Kenneth Cunningham 3 April 1913 Crawfordsville, MoCo IN – 1931 CHS SAVED

Source: Daily Clintonian Wed 26 March 1941 p 3
An announcement was made today of the marriage of Miss Mildred Maxine Clouse of Toledo, Ohio and Kenneth Cuningham, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Cunningham of Crawfordsville. The bride’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. CC Crouse (sic) of Fostoria, Ohio.  Marriage vows for the young couple were solemnized on Monday morning, March 24 at Tiffon, Ohio at the home of Rev. Lyle O. Snyder, a cousin of the bride. The ceremony was read in the presence of the immediate families, a few close friends, and Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Gerkenmeyer attendants of the young couple.  Immediately following the ceremony, an informal reception and wedding breakfast was held at the home of the bride’s parents. In the afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham left on a honeymoon trip. The young couple will reside with the groom’s parents at the present time. Mr. Cunningham, who is employed with the Burrough’s Shoe Store in Crawfordsville is well known in this city.
 

 


Source: US Army Enlistment
George K. Cunningham b 1913 Indiana Resides Morris, New Jersey – 4 years HS Retail manager
Enlisted 7 June 1943 at Toledo, Ohio 53” High 117# - No branch assigned
 

 
Died: 21 July 1990 age 77 Reno, Washoe County, Nevada – buried Fountain Cemetery Fostoria, Hancock Co Ohio Spouse: Mildred Maxine Krouse Cunningham 1915-1989 marr 24 March 1941 Senaca, Ohio


Source: Daily Clintonian Wed 26 March 1941 p 3
An announcement was made today of the marriage of Miss Mildred Maxine Clouse of Toledo, Ohio and Kenneth Cuningham, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Cunningham of Crawfordsville. The bride’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. CC Crouse (sic) of Fostoria, Ohio.  Marriage vows for the young couple were solemnized on Monday morning, March 24 at Tiffon, Ohio at the home of Rev. Lyle O. Snyder, a cousin of the bride. The ceremony was read in the presence of the immediate families, a few close friends, and Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Gerkenmeyer attendants of the young couple.  Immediately following the ceremony, an informal reception and wedding breakfast was held at the home of the bride’s parents. In the afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham left on a honeymoon trip. The young couple will reside with the groom’s parents at the present time. Mr. Cunningham, who is employed with the Burrough’s Shoe Store in Crawfordsville is well known in this city.
 

 
Source: US Army Enlistment
George K. Cunningham b 1913 Indiana Resides Morris, New Jersey – 4 years HS Retail manager
Enlisted 7 June 1943 at Toledo, Ohio 53” High 117# - No branch assigned

Father: Jesse Cunningham buried Oak Hill 15 Sept 1881 – 24 Feb 1955Cville
Mother: Inez Shields Cunningham b Monroe Co IN 30 May 1887 died 21 Aug 1984 Leb Boone Co IN age 97
Had one other child it looks like, George’s sister, Ruth Josephine 1918-1989 22 Oct 1989 Reno, Washoe, Nevada
 
She married #1 Leon Pickett – one son Leonard Kenneth “Jack” Pickett. Second hubs Leo Joseph “Bud” Falke – marr 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio – remained marr until her death – no ch together but raised Jack.
 
 
Died: 21 July 1990 age 77 Reno, Washoe County, Nevada – buried Fountain Cemetery Fostoria, Hancock Co Ohio Spouse: Mildred Maxine Krouse Cunningham 1915-1989 marr 24 March 1941 Senaca, Ohio

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