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Author: ELLinSpain
Surnames: cheesman
Classification: obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
The Rev. John A. Cheesman, 79, passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2011, after several years of
deteriorating health. He was a resident of Greenwood.
John Alva Cheesman was born March 31, 1932, on a farm outside Hartford City to Clinton and
Dorothy Cheesman.
He is survived by his wife, Alberta Moist Cheesman; three sons, John (Karen) Cheesman and
Thomas (Mandi) Cheesman, both of Carmel, and David (Tammy) Cheesman of Martinsville; a
sister, Fostine Stanley of Hartford City; four granddaughters, Mackenzie, Emma, Katherine
and Lydia; and two grandsons, Michael and Rex.
He was proceeded in death by his parents; and a sister, Dora Belle Cheesman.
John grew up in Harford City and graduated from Hartford City High School in 1951. After
receiving the call to the ministry, John attended Indiana Central College and received his
degree in 1955. He went on to attend and graduate from United Theological Seminary in
Dayton, Ohio, with his bachelor of divinity degree. He was ordained in 1958.
The Rev. Cheesman served the Lord in the ministry for nearly 50 years, serving Evangelical
United Brethren and United Methodist churches throughout Indiana. He began his ministry at
Calvary United Methodist Church (Dunkirk) and subsequently served Colonial United
Methodist (Anderson), Smith Valley United Methodist, First United Methodist
(Martinsville), Temple United Methodist (Terre Haute), Central United Methodist
(Evansville) and Grace United Methodist (Franklin) before retiring. After retirement in
1997, the Rev. Cheesman served as the visitation pastor at Edgewood United Methodist on
the Indianapolis southside.
The Rev. Cheesman was a former state lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis, an organization
he was a member of for 42 years. He was an ardent supporter of Christian youth and
longtime summer camp director for many United Methodist Church camps. He led several trips
to the Holy Land and other church sponsored locations.
He had served on the board of the Indiana United Methodist Credit Union as well as various
boards and service organizations in every community he lived in.
The Rev. Cheesman was a longtime Mason and active in the Indianapolis Valley of the
Scottish Rite. He loved fishing and being in God's nature. He was an avid Indiana
University basketball and Indianapolis Colts football fan.
The Revs. Todd Outcalt and Andy Kinsey will conduct a service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at
Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 E. Adams Drive, Franklin. Friends may call 3:30 until
8 p.m. Friday at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 S. Morton St.
(U.S. 31) in Franklin, and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. A
graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Gardens of Memory in Muncie,
with burial to follow.
The Rev. Cheesman suffered from the disease known as progressive supranuclear palsy later
in life. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed. He
leaves a legacy of love and touched the hearts of many with his Christian service. He was
a faithful servant of the Lord until the very end.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 E. Adams Drive,
Franklin, IN 46131; or Edgewood United Methodist Church, 1820 E. Epler Ave., Indianapolis,
IN 46227.
Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.swartzmortuary.com.
daily journal Franklin 17 Jun 2011
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