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Cheney, Rex E.
Rex E. Cheney, 78, of Monticello, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at Spring Valley Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nev., after a sudden illness. Friends may call from 3 until 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 2, at Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello, with Masonic rites recited by Burns Lodge No. 173 at 6 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Monticello Eagles Club, 102 Lindner Ct., Monticello, with Pastor Al Polito officiating. Cremation has been accorded.
Rex was born July 3, 1933, in North English, Iowa, the son of Richard and Neva Cheney. He was previously married to Joy Oliver on Oct. 11, 1952. Rex married his soul mate, Jill Reade, on April 10, 1999, in Monticello.
Rex worked as assistant sales manager for Colonial Baking Co. in Cedar Rapids from 1953 until 1966 before moving to Monticello in 1966. From 1966 through 1993, he owned and operated the Dairy Mart Drive-In, where he was famous for his broasted chicken, home made tenderloins and fresh dipped onion rings. Rex managed the Monticello Golf Club for two years and was currently working for Advancement Services.
Rex loved to golf, travel, play cards, fish and watch his favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs. Most importantly, Rex enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, children, Jill and Scooter.
Rex was Past Master of Burns Masonic Lodge No. 173, an El Kahir Shrine past president, member of the Jones County Mini Patrol, Past Worthy Patron of Order of the Eastern Star and past advisory board member of Boy Scout Troop 1683 in 1968. He was a past member of the Monticello Lions Club, Monticello Area Chamber of Commerce and was very active in the Monticello Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie 4466.
Survivors include his wife, Jill; the mother of Rex's children, Joy Oliver Cheney; two sons, Douglas (Janie) Cheney of Omaha Neb., and Jeffrey (Dana) Cheney of Clearwater, Fla.; one daughter, Kristine (Bruce) Stolba of Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren, Justin Cheney, Josh Cheney, Shawn Cheney, Ryan Cheney and Jennifer Stolba; one sister, Darlene (Ronnie) Morgan of Fort Myers, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Louise Cheney of Coralville; and his special dog, Scooter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Neva Cheney; and a brother, Larry Cheney.
A memorial fund has been established.
Information available and condolences accepted at
Published Dec. 31, 2011, in The Gazette
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