John Cheney Obituary

John A. Cheney

LTC John A. Cheney

John Alder Cheney of North Baltimore, passed away at home Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the age of 93. John was born March 20, 1932, and was the first child of Guy and Bertha (Alder) Cheney of Lima.

While attending high school in Elida, John met the love of his life and married Elaine Rose Glass in 1952. Elaine preceded him in death November 24, 2016. They were members of St. James United Methodist Church in North Baltimore.

During their 64 years of marriage, they raised three children who survive them, daughter Caprice Cheney; and sons, Mark Cheney (Beth Sterling) and John Cheney II (Pam). They were blessed with four grandchildren, Mason Cheney, Monica Kroske (Paul), Patrick Dyar, and Tamala Dyar (Heath Evans), and six great-grandchildren. John is also survived by his two sisters, Mary Lane (Dick) and Barbara Mulholland.

In addition to his wife, Elaine and his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Daniel Cheney.

Elaine was a very patient wife because, in the early 1970's, John decided to build a Stolp Starduster Too biplane from blueprints. Over the course of five plus years, one could find various pieces of the plane scattered throughout the house. They finished the project in 1976 and enjoyed taking it to air shows across the region for many years.

John graduated from Elida H.S. in 1950, and then attended Bowling Green State University, where he received a bachelor of science degree in physics and mathematics. While studying at BGSU, John entered the Army ROTC program, where he was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Field Artillery, graduating in 1954 as a Distinguished Military graduate. After graduation, John worked for Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative in North Baltimore, where he was a system cartographer.

He began his military active duty in 1955. John was first in class at Field Artillery Officers Basic Course in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During his active military career from 1955-1957, he was, 570th FA Missile Battalion, Corporal, Ft. Bliss, Texas, Assistant S-3; 543rd FA Missile Battalion, Corporal, Ft. Bliss, Reconnaissance & Survey Officer; 550th FA Rocket Battery, Honest John, Ft. Bliss, Reconnaissance & Survey Officer, Launcher Platoon Commander, and Detachment Commander, WSPG, NM, Support testing of Honest John and Little John equipment.; 521st FA Rocket Bn, Honest John, Ft. Bliss, (550th redesignated), Headquarters & Service Battery Commander. After active duty, John served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1957-1982, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was with the 2087th USAR School in Toledo.

After active duty, John and his family returned to North Baltimore to continue his employment at Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative, where he was a system engineer. In 1966, he became manager of operations and engineering until 1982, when he became president and CEO, retiring in 1995. He served 13 years as a board member of Buckeye Power, was on the Executive Committee and served terms as secretary and vice-chairman. John served as Buckeye Power's representative to the Electric Power Research Institute and as a member of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, with a term as its chairman.

Over the course of his life, John was involved with countless Community Service organizations, the most noteworthy being, member of the Wood County Port Authority Board of Trustees; member of the Board of Directors of the Northwestern Water and Sewer District, 29 years, five as president; Wood County Tax Incentive Review Council; Wood County Committee on Aging; Founding member of the Wood County Economic Development Commission; Henry Township - North Baltimore Joint Economic Development District; North Baltimore Chamber of Commerce; North Baltimore Board of Education, six years, two as president.

John served on the Military Affairs Committee of the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce and was chairman for four years, during which time the committee developed the Armed Forces Day Celebration held at the Hancock County Fairgrounds. He was a principal in organizing the Findlay-Hancock County Military Association (now the Findlay Military Association) to continue the Armed Forces Day Celebration at the fairgrounds (now in its 39th year). He was the finance officer for the FHCMA/FMA for 22 years.

John was a life member of American Legion Post 539, AMVETS Post 21, Reserve Officers Association, and the 30th FA Regimental Association, Masonic Lodge 561 F & AM, Wood County Shrine Club, Zenobia Shrine, and North Baltimore Rotary. He was a charter member of Ohio Motorpool, and Experimental Aircraft Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. John and his family, over the years have created the Cheney Military Collection, which features over 50 military vehicles, missiles, rockets and support equipment. The vehicle collection is displayed at events and shows across Ohio on a regular basis. He was also a member of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association and participated in three MVPA Trans-Continental Convoys, driving several of his military vehicles across the USA.

The family would like to thank Home Instead Care Pros for all of the special care they provided to John.

Funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, December 15, 2025, at SMITH-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, North Baltimore. Burial will be at New Maplewood Cemetery, North Baltimore, where full military rites will be conducted by North Baltimore American Legion Post 539. A funeral dinner will follow services at North Baltimore American Legion Post 539.

Visitation will be from noon- 4 p.m., Sunday, December 14, 2025, at SMITH-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, and 10-11 a.m. prior to service. A Masonic service will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday at the conclusion of visitation.

Memorial contribu-tions may be made to Honor Flight, Parkinson's Association or St. James United Methodist Church, North Baltimore.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.smithcrates.com.