Donald Lee Cheney Sr.'s Obituary
Mt. Zion – Donald Lee Cheney Sr, 82, of Mt. Zion, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
Donald was born on November 16, 1941, in Troy, IL, a son of Merle and Pauline (Sabo) Cheney. Don was a former resident of Edwardsville, IL, and St. Louis, MO, attending Edwardsville High School and graduating from Ritenour High School in Overland, MO, in 1959. After enlisting in the Navy in June 1959, he had primarily assignments to submarine service; serving aboard seven submarines from diesel, electric, to nuclear missile and fast attack as navigator. In addition, Don served two tours of instructor duty at N.R.O.T.C. at University of Wisconsin at Madison, WI, and N.R.O.T.C. at University of Missouri at Columbia, MO. He was one of two Navy recruiters in Decatur, IL, from 1966 to 1969, where he met and married his wife the former Dorothy Bacon in 1967.
Don retired from the Navy in 1989 as a Senior Chief Quartermaster after a 30-year career. He was a member of the American Legion Post 105 of Decatur, and the Fleet Reserve Association. After retirement from the Navy, he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier in Decatur until his retirement in 2003. During his years as a letter carrier, he served as sergeant at arms and vice president of Letter Carriers Local Union Branch 317.
Don was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals both in good times and bad and loved to antagonize Cub fans.
Donald is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy (Bacon) Cheney of Mt. Zion; daughter, Pamela Cheney of Norfolk, VA, and son, Donald Lee Cheney Jr. of Decatur.
Donald was preceded in death by his father Merle F. Cheney of St. Louis in 1969, mother Pauline Craycraft of Granite City, IL in 2009, and brother Richard Cheney in November of 2023.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 14, 2024, from 5 to 7pm at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 11am, Friday, March 15, 2024, at the funeral home. Burial with military rites will take place at Macon County Memorial Park.
Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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