Edward M. "Ed" Tunnicliff

Edward M. “Ed” Tunnicliff, of Kingsford, MI, died in Kingsford on May 4, 2021, at the age of 95. Ed lived in Kewanee, Pekin, Decatur, and Libertyville, IL; he also lived in Timbercreek Canyon, TX, and Mountain Home, AR. Ed was born on December 20, 1925 in Ord, NE, the youngest of five sons born to Adam William “A.W.” and Mabel (McMullen) Tunnicliff. He married Kathryn “Kay” M. Jones in Kewanee, IL in 1947; she preceded him in death in 1998. Survivors include four children: Kathy “Kass” Schreiber of Fort Collins, CO; Brock Tunnicliff of Phoenix, AZ; Mark Tunnicliff of Kingsford, MI; and Heidi Summers of Crestview, FL. Ed and Kay had 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Ed was also preceded in death by his parents, his four brothers, a granddaughter, and a great-granddaughter. Ed graduated from Kewanee High School in 1944 where he was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball, and track. He served his country in the US Army during WWII in the European theater as the bow machine gunner and assistant driver in a Sherman tank. Following the end of WWII, Ed enrolled at Northwestern University where he was a member of the Northwestern University football team that won the Rose Bowl in 1949. After graduating, he taught history and speech and coached football at the high school level. He eventually entered the insurance industry and retired from his professional career after 40 years. In addition to his professional careers, he was a Boy Scout leader for his two sons, the Mayor of Timbercreek Canyon, TX, a volunteer firefighter, and a private airplane pilot. Wherever Ed lived he was an active member of his church community. He was also an avid fisherman. Memorial services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Kewanee, IL, on May 11, 2021 at 10:00 am, officiated by Ed’s grandson, Pastor Alex Tunnicliff, with inurnment to be held afterward at the Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the benevolent fund at the church of the donor’s choice. Condolences to the family of Edward M. “Ed” Tunnicliff may be expressed online at http://www.ernashfuneralhomes.com

Edward M. "Ed" Tunnicliff

December 20, 1925 - May 4, 2021