John M. Cheney
May 29, 1941- July 20, 2026
It’s rare to find a man who loves you unconditionally, offers kindness to all people, and supports others wholeheartedly. If you encountered the sweetness of John M. Cheney in his 85 years of life, chances are good that you felt seen, valued, accepted, and appreciated. He had the ability to be completely content without having to have much attention at all, but to those who were curious enough to dig deeper there were always gems to find. John’s eyes held a sparkle that was captivating. His family witnessed this when he had a pun to share, a strong Pinochle hand, or an amazing bargain to describe! John was a devoted husband to Doris (Royer) Cheney for nearly 55 years, and his love is shared still in the lives of his three children, Mary Ann (Daniel) Meyer, Lorne (Angel) Cheney, and Carol (Brian) Daugherty. There was nothing he loved to retell more than the successes of his 14 grandchildren! He showed up for their events and regularly told strangers how proud he was of them.
Celebrating the successes of others was part of John’s role for many years as an elementary teacher. He received his bachelor’s degree from Manchester College and a master’s degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University. He dedicated 30 years of his life to teaching and investing in young children. Most of those years were spent in a 3rd grade classroom at Latson Road Elementary in Howell, Michigan. Being one of just a few male teachers in the school, he selflessly filled many roles such as establishing the school’s first computer lab, making sure all the staff had their favorite sodas in the vending machine, solving Rubik’s Cubes for his students on his lunch break, and being a handyman whenever needed. After retiring from his teaching career, John found lifelong friends through working at Brighton Electric Supply and the Bargain Barn.
In 2006, John and Doris fully retired and relocated to Muncie, Indiana where their lives became filled with even more adventures! They spent their days loving and caring for grandkids, traveling frequently to see friends and family, and participating in their local Audubon Society and Association of Life Long Learners. John also enjoyed exercising and meeting new people at the local YMCA. While it was hard to leave their community in Howell, they have since made precious friendships in the Muncie/Anderson area.
Life nearly came to an abrupt halt for John in 2012 when he experienced a rare spinal stroke. His family was told to say their goodbyes before he was whisked away for surgery. They were incredibly relieved when John came through alive and willing to do all it would take to regain his strength. The stroke paralyzed him from the waist down, but with much prayer and determination paired with 50 days of rehabilitation, John learned to walk again! He was even named patient of the year from his experience. His family knows that the 14 years since have been a miraculous gift from the Lord. They have seen John push through for them, live fully, and joyfully invest in the lives of 6 additional grandchildren in the years following.
John loved the Lord and greatly enjoyed worshiping in the Church of the Brethren and attending many Annual Conferences and National Older Adult Conferences (NOAC). He embraced the church’s pacifist ideology and chose to do alternative service preceding the Vietnam War. He spent those years serving as an orderly for a man with polio and became an honorary part of his family. John’s heart of generosity aligned flawlessly with the denomination’s passion for giving. He loved to partner with Heifer International and other organizations that were founded or supported by the Church of the Brethren. John’s life embodied their vision statement: “Simply. Peacefully. Together.”
Born in Fremont, Ohio, John was the oldest of 4 siblings born to Thomas and Caroline (Painter) Cheney. It wasn’t a life of abundance, but John carried lessons from that experience with him always to help him love others generously. He has one remaining brother, Chester, and was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ethel Dennis, and his brother Tom Cheney. It has always been important to John to love his extended family and to get together regularly. All of the main holidays were reasons for John and Doris to invest in and connect with the relatives, including many dear nieces and nephews. Doris will gladly continue to instigate more of these celebratory moments!
While John’s family surrounded him in life, they also gathered close with worshipful hymns sung in full harmony to bridge him into his eternity with Christ at 3:58 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana. It was a witness to the beautiful love story that John and Doris had built. Their love couldn’t help but inspire others toward family, faith, fellowship, and fun! John will always be remembered for the kindness that only genuine love can display.
Visitation: Friday, July 24, 2026, from 5-8pm
Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service
229 South Rangeline Road, Anderson, IN
Funeral service: Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 10am
Anderson Church of the Brethren
741 North Scatterfield Road, Anderson, IN.
Burial: Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 3pm
Newcomer Cemetery
8300 Painter Creek-Arcanum Road, Arcanum, OH
Memorial contributions may be given to Anderson Church of the Brethren or Heifer International.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com