Rex Cheney, 58 of Deep River, passed away Wednesday afternoon, Mar. 30, 2022, at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Apr. 4, at Community Hope Church in Montezuma. Burial was in the Golden Rod Cemetery in Deep River with a luncheon following at Deep River Community Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Deep River Fire Department, the MHP Serenity Hospice House at Oskaloosa, or the Morrison-Schrader American Legion Post #296 in Deep River.
Rex William Cheney was born July 20, 1963, at the Grinnell hospital, the son of James and Arva (Schultz) Cheney. He grew up on the family farm and was driving a tractor by the age of six. He attended and graduated from Deep River-Millersburg in 1981. He joined his parents in their farm operation along with his brothers. Mar. 10, 1984, Rex was united in marriage to Julie Sutfin at St. John’s Lutheran Church and to this union two children were born, Jonathan and Jodi. He continued his farming operation and raised fat cattle.
Rex enjoyed his family most of all, and his grandchildren brought him much joy. He loved Ranger riding with friends, dancing with Julie, chopping with the Morrison boys, and seasonal bulldozing for Seaton Construction. Rex and Julie camped at the Iowa State Fair several years, ate many meals at Carnforth, played cards, and Rex found enjoyment in catching bunnies, fawns, raccoons, and a few snakes to present to his grandchildren and family. He always attended the Legion and firemen’s breakfasts, as well as many neighborhood “The Board” meetings on Sunday night. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Deep River.
Rex is survived by his wife, Julie, of Deep River; his mother, Arva Cheney of Deep River; his children, Jonathan (Denise) Cheney of Deep River, and Jodi (Jamie) Norman of Searsboro; his grandchildren: Cael Cheney, Brea Cheney, Brax Cheney, Emma Norman, Ava Norman, and Charlie Norman; his siblings, Marna (Kyle) Montgomery of Brooklyn, Wayne Cheney of Deep River, and Colleen Baggs of Ames; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Jim Cheney; his brother Lonnie Cheney; and brother-in-law John Baggs.
