Reverend John A. Cheesman, 79 of Greenwood, Indiana passed away on June 14, 2011 after several years of deteriorating health. John Alva Cheesman was born on March 31, 1932 to Clinton and Dorothy Cheesman on a farm outside of Hartford City, Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Alberta Moist Cheesman, sister Fostine Stanley of Hartford City, and three sons, John (Karen) Cheesman of Carmel, Indiana, David (Tammy) Cheesman of Martinsville, Indiana and Thomas (Mandi) Cheesman of Carmel, Indiana; four Granddaughters, (Mackenzie, Emma, Katherine, and Lydia) ; and two Grandsons, (Michael and Rex). He was preceeded 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. Rev. Cheesman served the Lord in the ministry for nearly fifty years serving E.U.B. 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 Church in Franklin before retiring. After retirement in 1997, Rev. Cheesman served as the visitation pastor at Edgewood United Methodist on the Indianapolis Southside.
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 mission trips to the Holy Land and other missionary lands. 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. Reverend Cheesman was a long time 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 Reverends Todd Outcalt and Andy Kinsey will conduct a service 10:30 A.M. Saturday, June 18, 2011 at Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 East Adams Drive Franklin. Indiana. Friends may call Friday, June 17, 2011 from 3:30 P.M. until 8 P.M. at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin and Saturday from 9:30 A.M. until service time at the church. A graveside service will follow at 2 P.M. at Gardens of Memory in Muncie, Indiana with burial to follow.
Reverend Cheesman suffered from the disease known as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) later in life. Reverend Cheesman was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed. He leaves a legacy of love and touched the hearts of many on 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 East Adams Drive, Franklin, Indiana 46131 or Edgewood United Methodist Church, 1820 East Epler Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.swartzmortuary.com. Information: 317-738-0202.

Obituary for John A. Cheesman

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