John Ella Cunningham

John Ella graced this world on May 2, 1926, and departed on August 8, 2024, after a remarkable 98 years of service. She was a cherished daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She nurtured eight children and was a guiding light to numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her home was a sanctuary for everyone in the community. She was born in Kansas City, MO, but she grew up in Tennessee and Mississippi. She met and married Arthur Butler Sr. and began building a family, later moving to Cairo, Illinois, to be near Arthurs's father, Dan Butler. As the family expanded, she also worked at the local hospital. After the family grew to eight children, John Ella decided to move to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and became a lifelong member of Faith Temple.

When the children were grown, John Ella married, for a second time, to Leon Cunningham and remained married until he passed. She continued raising her grandchildren and great-grandchildren until she was no longer able to do so. She traveled to live with her son in Alaska for two years but longed to return to her beloved Kalamazoo.

John Ella lived out the remainder of her years in Kalamazoo and passed peacefully on August 8, 2024. Her time of passing was listed as 1338, and her longtime address was Burdick Street.

John Ella was preceded by two of her children: a daughter, Joyce Ann Butler, and a son, Dan Butler.

She left six remaining children, Arthur Butler, Jr., Claretha Edwards, Dorothy Jean Butler, Lawrence Butler, Dorothy Mae Grays, and Cecil Lynn Butler, as well as numerous grand and great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. The burial will be held at 12:00 PM at Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Park South, 3941 S Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. 

To view John Ella’s personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com.