AUSTINTOWN - Bernadine Cunningham, 87, formerly of Eldora Drive on Youngstown's west side, passed away peacefully late Saturday afternoon, Dec. 19, 2015, at Austinwoods Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, with her family by her side.

Bernadine was born May 16, 1928, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Frank and Melba Bowser Mentges, and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a 1946 graduate of South High School and was a homemaker who dedicated her adult life to raising and caring for her family.

Bernie was a member of the Saxon Club and was a longtime member of TOPS. She enjoyed sewing, arts & crafts, and painting, and she loved spending time with her family at her cottage at Lake Milton.

Mrs. Cunningham's beloved husband of 66 years, James P. Cunningham, whom she married Aug. 21, 1948, passed away Jan. 20, 2015.

Bernie leaves three daughters, Debra (Randy) Gasper of Youngstown, Sharon (Andrew) Hallochak of Farmington Hills, Mich., and Sandy (Joe) Miller of Austintown; three grandchildren, Sarah (Jason) Lorenzi, James Gasper, and Amy Hallochak; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, William (Carol) Cunningham, Robert (Joan) Cunningham, Dan Bittler, and Margaret Cunningham.

Besides her husband, a brother-in-law, Thomas Cunningham, and a sister-in-law, Mary Bittler, are deceased.

Family and friends may call from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 26, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where funeral services will take place at noon.

A committal service will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, where Bernie will be laid to rest next to her husband.

Bernadine's family sends special thanks to Thomas Clay and Terrence Dill, for the kindness shown and care given to her during her illness.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bernie's name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, through http://www.nationalmssociety.org/donate; or to Crossroads Hospice through https://crhcf.org/Donate/