Obituary of Dale George Cheney

Dale George Cheney passed away on October 4, 2023, at Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore, Kentucky.    

He was 98. He was born March 5, 1925, in Valmeyer, Illinois, the youngest son of the late Thomas S. Cheney and Ida C. Cheney (Schmitt). He was married to the late Bernice (Eichhorst) Cheney for 56 years. 

 Dale grew up in Valmeyer, IL, attending Cardinals baseball games in St. Louis at every chance, and listening on the radio otherwise. He was an outstanding high school athlete and made the final cut at a Cardinals tryout camp in 1942. He was invited back in 1943, but by then he was 18, and had been drafted into service during World War II. He served in the US Army Air Force and was stationed in the Pacific Theater in Guam, as administrative support to the Commanding Officers at the Allied base on the island. 

 Mr. Cheney returned home in 1946. He owned a country store in Valmeyer and was eventually employed by Firestone Tire & Rubber Company for 20 years, as a Division Financial Officer in Akron, Ohio. He subsequently owned a Firestone Store and held various other jobs later.  In his retirement, Dale enjoyed spending time with his family in Lexington, KY, UK basketball, and of course, St. Louis Cardinals baseball.  He was employed by Landrum and Shouse Law Firm in Lexington for 20 years and had many friends there. 

 He is survived by his daughter, Susan Cheney Witzke (Lonny Wells), and his granddaughter Greta C. Witzke, both of Lexington, KY; as well as three great-grandchildren: Athena, Oliver and Julieta; close friends of over 50 yrs, Dennis and Connie Johnson, Fairfield, IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his brother Royce Cheney and sister-in-law Helen Cheney, and his nephew David Cheney. 

 A military internment service will take place at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, KY, on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 2:30pm.