Bennett (Ben) Craig Cunard, 74, of Ozark, Mo., went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 23, 2023, at 12:34 am. He was born to Bennett & Nadine Cunard on March 2, 1949, at his family home in Missouri Valley. Ben was a devoted son and loving brother who cherished his family. He was an honor roll student all through school and was known for being a “fixer”. Throughout his life, he demonstrated a remarkable capacity to repair anything with an engine. He graduated from Missouri Valley High School in 1967, and went on to attend a year at Iowa State University for mechanical engineering. In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served during the Vietnam War as an airplane technician on the U.S.S. Coral Sea, returning to the U.S. in 1972. He was married to Sylvia Sprenger for 29 years and to this union was born Ben, Brad & Cara. Ben worked as a mechanic in Nebraska before he and the family moved to Ozark, Mo. in 1991. In 2002, he met JoAnn Zimmerman. They spent 21 years together going on lots of long walks, traveling and enjoying time with friends and family, especially the grandkids.
Survivors include his companion, JoAnn; the mother of his children, Sylvia; son, Ben & Jodi Cunard of Blair, Neb.; son, Brad & Tricia Cunard of Olathe, Kan.; daughter, Cara & Bob Henderson of Spring Hill, Kan.; JoAnn’s daughters, Trisha Martin of Bolivar, Mo., Jodi & Robb James of Heath, Texas; and eight grandchildren, Madi, Avery, Aiden, Cameron, Eva, Cole, Carly & Wade; also survived by five siblings, Claudia Cunard of Missouri Valley, Kath & Tim Mickey of Logan, Pat Fair of Spring Hill, Kan., Dan Cunard of Spring Hill, Kan., and Mark Cunard & companion, Glenda Oliver, of Logan; multiple cousins, nieces, nephews and many beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bennett & Nadine Cunard, and brother-in-law, Paul Fair.
A memorial service was held on Nov. 30, 2023, at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Mo. A graveside service was held Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Mo. An additional memorial service near the Cunard family home in Missouri Valley is set for December 9th, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Hennessy Funeral Home. All are welcome to attend either or both services. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Honor Flight.
Arrangements made by Hennessey Funeral Home. www.hennesseyonline.com
