DeVane Awyn Cunningham, 96, of Stockton, KS, passed away on May 19, 2025, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, KS. He was born on the family farm in rural Phillips County on March 27, 1929, to Darrell and Maybelle (Dunlap) Cunningham.
DeVane began his education at the nearby one-room schoolhouse, the same school his father had attended. He later went on to Stockton High School, where he was affectionately known to friends and cousins as “Shorty.” He graduated in 1947. It was during high school that he met Doris Jean Buss, whom he married in 1948. Together they raised three children: Denise, Jan, and Dana. Following Doris’s passing in 1997, DeVane married Ellen Rogers. They shared over twenty years together until her passing in 2021.
DeVane was a carpenter by trade and spent many years working for his father-in-law Earl Buss, building and renovating homes in the Stockton area. Upon Earl’s retirement, he began his own business. Over the course of his career, he built most of the new homes in Stockton, until his retirement around age 70. His largest project was the Ralph and Joanna Johnson home, where they spent nine months adding on to and renovating the 1910 Italian Mansard-style house. His favorite home was the Clifford Roy home, west of Stockton. He built his own home in 1951 and lived there for 74 years, until February of this year.
DeVane was a member of the United Methodist Church and was baptized there as an adult in the early 1970’s. He served on several church boards over the years. In retirement, he reluctantly allowed his name to be used as a write-in candidate for the City Commission – only to receive more votes than any listed candidate. He served as a City Councilman (1993-2003) as well as the Mayor of Stockton. Until recently, he remained active on the Stockton Housing Authority Board.
During retirement, DeVane enjoyed coffee time with his friends at the bowling alley, watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas State Wildcat football games, and most frequently, his TV was tuned to Fox News.
DeVane was well-liked and admired by all – young and old, men and women alike. Known especially for his charm and wit, and in later years for his ever-present farmer overalls and walking stick. Those who knew him well know he could talk endlessly about growing up on the farm, the details and stories of generations of families who made up the Bow Creek community. It was clear, at his core, he was always the farm boy from Bow Creek, and that became the foundation underlying all the other hats he wore in his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Doris and Ellen; and brother, Darrell Jr.
He is survived by his brother, Don (Jane) of Stockton; children, Denise (Allan) Edwards of Houston. TX, Jan Cunningham of Stockton, and Dana ( JoLeen) of Hays, KS; five grandchildren: Joy (Jeff) Bashus, J. Christian Smilanic, Amanda (Reid) Bullock, Rachel (Charles) Carlson, and Aaron Cunningham; and five great-grandsons: Harrison, Callen, Asher, Benson and Theodore.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 10AM at the funeral home in Stockton. Burial will follow in the Stockton Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday with the family receiving time 6 until 8PM at the funeral home.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Stockton Methodist Church and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com