Al Lunning

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 August 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 Lt. (jg) 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 Mt. Pleasant from 1950-1955. He then became Director of Advertising and Marketing for Rapid Thermogas in Des Moines from 1955-1958. In 1959 he was invited by his wife's family to be a partner in building a new funeral home to be the Elliott-Lunning Chapel. In 1972 he became sole owner of the funeral home and it became Lunning Chapel. He was an...[more]

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tive 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, Greater Burlington Partnership and its Industrial Development Committee, member and past president of both Burlington Noon Kiwanis and United Way, and a 50+ 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, 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, 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 the 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, Kansas and Kate (Randy) McKasson of Burlington; one son, Elliott (Robin) Lunning of Waxhaw, North Carolina; 13 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren; and one sister, Marilyn (John) Thompson of Boulder, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clifford Orville "Rusty" Lunning and Everett Lunning; one sister, Virginia Claussen; and nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 6th, at Lunning Chapel. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. The funeral service for Mr. Lunning will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 7th, 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.