Emma Josephine Cheney
Emma Josephine Cheney, 86 of St. Charles, Illinois, formerly of Richwood, died Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at Pine View Care Center in St. Charles. She was born January 13, 1929 in Marion to the late Charles McKay and Celia Eva (Knapp) Shields.
She grew up one of seven siblings on a farm in rural Ohio and life was not easy. She chose the life of a traditional housewife and raised three boys while their dad spent many of his working years on the road in sales with Richwood Insurance & Realty and then Batesville Casket Company in 1968. She supported the boys through sports, scouts and studies, ensuring each earned a college degree.
Travel was a passion, with annual two-week trips in a small travel trailer to 45 States. She enjoyed seeing her seven grandsons mature into their 20s and more recently, the thrill of 5 great-grandchildren. She was a tireless partner of her husband, John who dealt with a long battle with lymphoma in his retirement years, before passing away 18 years ago. They enjoyed countless trips back to Ohio over the years to stay close to sisters, brothers, friends, nieces, nephews and all extended family. She faithfully attended the First Baptist Church of Geneva, IL for over 30 years and was a long-time supporter of the Richwood First United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her three sons, Cort (Susan) Cheney of West Lafayette, IN; Clark (Cathy) Cheney of St Charles, IL; Calvin (Joyce) Cheney of Broomfield, CO; grandchildren, Grant, Garrett (Jennifer), John (Maggie), Scott (Anna), Brian (Chrissie), and Luke Cheney; great-grandchildren, Millie, Caroline, Josiah, Elizabeth, and William Cheney; sisters and brother, Maxine Wilson of Richwood; Ruth Webb of Richwood; Thomas (Sara) Shields of Richwood; and Charlotte (Irv) Markley of The Villages, FL; brothers-in-law, Paul “Doc” Cramer of Richwood, Gene (Isabell) Cheney of Upper Sandusky and Bob (Melva) Cheney of Richwood; and sisters-in-law, Lee Shields of Delta and Phyllis Oman of Richwood.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Wilton Cheney on August 30, 1996, whom she married September 4, 1949 at the Richwood First United Methodist Church; grandson, Kyle Cheney; sister, Kate Cramer; brother, Charles Shields; and two brothers-in-law, Sherman Wilson and Leonard Webb.
Funeral services will be Monday, January 26, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Richwood First United Methodist Church with Pastor Joe Rhea officiating. Burial will follow in Claibourne Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 5 PM on Sunday at the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home, Richwood.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church of Geneva, 2300 South Street, Geneva, IL 60134 or Richwood First United Methodist Church, 18 S. Fulton Street, Richwood, OH 43344.
Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com
Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home