Carol Ann Cunningham

Known for her outgoing nature and huge heart, Carol Ann Cunningham was a woman of many talents and passions. Her creativity and positive outlook served as an example and an encouragement to those who worked with her. She consistently strove to use her skills to improve life for those around her and also made sure that the people closest to her knew how much she cared.

As fall was approaching in 1932, Kenneth and Edith (Foster) Losure of Warsaw, Indiana, were preparing for bigger changes than just the leaves falling. On September 20, 1932, they welcomed their third child into their family, sweet Carol Ann. Kenneth was a farmer and Edith was a nurse and managed the home. When Carol was just a young girl, the family moved to Michigan and Carol developed her strong work ethic by helping out with the chores which included milking, mucking, and baling.

Carol attended Lawton High School through the eleventh grade and and then took a job at JC Penney as a shoe salesperson. That same year she met and married Adrian Timmer. Over the next several years she was blessed with five children who meant the world to her: Kathy, Douglas, Judy, Scott, and Jodie.

Carol was ambitious and a hard worker, and it showed in her employment and civic activities. After Penney’s, she worked at a dress shop in Kalamazoo and later found her niche as a property manager. She eventually moved to Grand Rapids where she lived for over thirty years. She continued working in property management until her retirement at the age of seventy-two. She was active in politics and believed involvement in her local community was important. She was instrumental in helping write the charter which led to Portage, Michigan, becoming a city.

Although she enjoyed staying busy, she did know how to relax. The family rented cottages on Hess Lake and Gourdneck Lake many summers, and those were times the children looked back on fondly. She loved the Gaither's, attending many of their concerts, She was a fabulous cook and everyone looked forward to a break in her schedule so she could make some of her famous desserts.

When she wasn’t traveling the U.S. or Europe, Carol kept her hands busy with crocheting or knitting. She did watch some television and her favorites included game shows and classic movies. A song was never far from her lips and she loved music of all kinds.

Carol’s heart of service could be seen not only in her civic involvement, but also in her church activities. While living in Kalamazoo, Carol taught Jr. Church to elementary kids and played choruses for them at Bethel Baptist Church downtown. In Grand Rapids Carol was a member of Faith United Methodist Church and was involved with the women’s group there. She served in meal planning, craft nights, children’s activities, and fundraising among other things.

Carol was conscientious about maintaining her relationships and stayed close to all of her siblings throughout their lives. She loved entertaining and frequently hosted dinner parties and card game events at her home. She organized block parties no matter where she lived, recognizing the value of knowing one’s neighbors. She had a dear friends, Lorna and Donna, whom she always made time for and whose friendship was precious to her. Above all, Carol loved spending time with her grandkids and attended as many of their performances and special events as possible.

Carol developed spinal and heart problems, forcing her to slow down her active lifestyle. During the last few years of her life, she lived in various assisted living facilities and finally moved to Valley View Care in March of 2019. Carol died in the early morning on Tuesday, November 19, 2019. She was a loving and dedicated mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be dearly missed.

Carol is survived by four children: Kathy (James) Durling, Judy (Daniel) Rogers, Scott Timmer, and Jodie (Scott) Lyons; her grandchildren: Danae Durling, Tiana (Sterling) Karman, Marissa (Jacob) Herrera, Shandra (Carey) O’Donnell, Matthew (Tiffany) Timmer, Allison (Anthony) Hayes, Katy Timmer (Kim Wallace), Kristin Timmer, (Jamie Daniels), Joseph Aldrich, Jeremy Aldrich, Jennifer Aldrich, Nick Bauman, Kayla Katsma (fiancé, Maxwell Teune), Nicole Duffy, Kayla (Aaron) TenHaaf, Taylor Lyons, and Shelbi Lyons; thirteen great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her son Douglas Timmer; two brothers, George Losure and Kenneth Losure; and sister, Joyce Davis.

The service to celebrate Carol’s life will be held on Saturday, November 23, at 11:00 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 2600 7th St. NW, in Grand Rapids. Cremation has taken place. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the service begins at 11:00 a.m. Visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a photo or memory, sign the online guest register, or make a memorial contribution to Emmanuel Hospice, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 263 Grand Rapids, MI 49503.