Al Lunning

AL LUNNING

Burlington

Mr. Al Lunning, 94, of Burlington, died at 7:02 a.m. Monday, May 2, 2016, at Blair House Nursing and Rehab.

Born June 15, 1921, in Hubbard, he was the son of Clarence Otto and Anne Caroline (Anderson) Lunning. On Aug. 21, 1949, he married G. Genevieve Elliott at Elliott Chapel in New London.

Mr. Lunning was a graduate of Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids, University of Iowa and St. Louis School of Mortuary Science. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a naval aviator at the rank of Lieutenant (j.g.) in the South Pacific. He received his pilot's wings at Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1943, participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Philippines, and was a member of the Black Cat Squadron. All three Lunning brothers were pilots in World War II, one in the Army and two in the Navy.

Mr. Lunning was owner of Cookes-Lunning Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant from 1950 to 1955. He then became director of advertising and marketing for Rapid Thermogas in Des Moines from 1955 to 1958. In 1959, he was invited by his wife's family to be a partner in building a new funeral home to be Elliott-Lunning Chapel. In 1972, he became sole owner of the funeral home and it became Lunning Chapel. He was an active part of Lunning Chapel until his retirement in 1990.

Mr. Lunning was a longtime member of Messiah Lutheran Church and served on the church council for four years. He also was a member of Greater Burlington Partnership and its Industrial Development Committee, member and past president of both Burlington Noon Kiwanis and United Way, and a 50-plus year member of Burlington Golf Club. He was a member of American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and 40&8 Club.

He was a past member of KAABA Shrine, Eastern Star (Blackmar Chapter), past vice president of YMCA and spent 15 years on the Camp McBride Committee. He was chairman of the Advancement Committee and board member for Southeast Iowa Boy Scouts, president of American Funeral Homes for seven years, board member of South East Iowa Symphony Orchestra for 15 years, served on the water board for 12 years and was on the board of directors for the Building Campaign for Hope Haven, Civic Music Association and Trees Forever Committee. He was named Outstanding Young Man of Henry County in 1953 and served as president of Jaycees in Mount Pleasant in 1954.

Mr. Lunning enjoyed fishing, golf, bridge and traveling to the Ozarks.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Genevieve Lunning of Burlington; five daughters, Scarlett Lunning of Des Moines, Marianne (Tom) Darnall and Julie (Jerry) Anderson, both of Burlington, Laurie (David) Lind of Overland, Kan., and Kate (Randy) McKasson of Burlington; one son, Elliott (Robin) Lunning of Waxhaw, N.C.; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Marilyn (John) Thompson of Boulder, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clifford Orville "Rusty" Lunning and Everett Lunning; and one sister, Virginia Claussen.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 6, at Lunning Chapel. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until time of service on Saturday. The funeral service for Mr. Lunning will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at Lunning Chapel, with Pastor Susanne Smith officiating. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.

Memorials have been established for Messiah Lutheran Church and Hope Haven Building Campaign.