Roy E. Cheesman

Roy E Cheesman,age 94, of Apple River, Illinois, passed away on December 18, at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva, Illinois. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Schapville Zion Presbyterian Church in Schapville, IL.

Roy was born on January 21, 1930 in Viola, Missouri, the son of William and Rosey Jane (Gaddy) Cheesman. As a child of the Depression, young Roy and his family frequently moved, finally settling on Pension Mountain, outside of Berryville, Arkansas. At age 16, Roy left home and went to Chicago to make a life for himself. During the ensuing years, Roy worked many jobs including as a rough neck in the oil fields of Kansas and Oklahoma, as a cook’s assistant on the Super Chief and as a short order cook at a diner in Franklin Park, IL. As fate may have it, the diner was where Roy met the love of his life, Dorothy Jean Michels, from Franklin Park, IL.

On December 31, 1949, Roy and Dorothy were married. They would have two children, Danny and Teri, and celebrated 66 years of marriage until Dorothy’s passing in 2015.

Roy loved his family above all else. Husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather extraordinaire, he was the family’s wonderful patriarch.

Roy created a career as a machinist/mold maker and owned and operated R&R Machine Co in Villa Park, IL until his retirement in 1985. That year, Roy and Dorothy became full time residents at Apple Canyon Lake-their heaven on earth. During his retirement, Roy honed his skills as a master woodworker, traveled much of the world with Dorothy and his family, played golf, became a daredevil snow and water skier, volunteered as a firefighter and as a member of the Architectural Committee.

Roy and Dorothy’s Apple Canyon home was open to everyone. Marathon card games, lazy summer days floating on the lake, barbecues and long walks are remembered by all. You came as a guest and left as family.

Roy’s faith was the beacon that guided his life along with the principles of his Cherokee heritage.

While attending Schapville Zion, he was an active Elder and Trustee. The church’s pulpit is the result of Roy’s craftsmanship. In addition, Roy was a Director and consistent volunteer at The Sonshine Center thrift shop located at the church.

Roy’s deep and proud connection to his Cherokee heritage was always forefront in his behaviors. He loved and honored the land, was hardworking, grateful, humble, kind and always a Patriot to the country he loved and that gave him opportunities to make the life he treasured. He appreciated life’s quiet moments, gave abundantly and expected nothing. He remained contented until his last day.

We will remember his sitting quietly on his deck with his morning cup of coffee, watching the sunrise. Roy was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Roy will be dearly missed by his son, Danny (Cheryl) Cheesman of DeKalb, IL, daughter Teri (Dave) Roberts of South Elgin, IL, 5 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren. Roy is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy, parents William and Rosey Jane, father and mother-in-law Thomas and Gertrude Michels, sisters, Kathleen Addleman, Maxine Williams, and Evelyn Sharpton, brother Norman Cheesman, step-sister Wilma Wright and sister-in-law Helen Louise Cheesman.