Rita K. Cheney

Rita “Kay” Cheney, 79, of Loraine, Illinois, passed away at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois. She was born on January 5, 1945, in Quincy, a daughter of Fred and Maude (Leckbee) Ensminger. She married Daniel Cheney on March 14, 1970, at the Loraine Methodist Church. He survives.

Kay attended Loraine Elementary School and graduated from Mendon High School. She worked as a cook at the Loraine Elementary School and Unity High School for many years. She enjoyed camping and bird watching. She also enjoyed watching cooking shows, westerns, and Cardinal Baseball. Kay and Daniel spent much time attending auctions.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel; sons, Rob Cheney of Quincy, Sean Cheney of Plymouth; nine grandchildren, Hope (Preston) Lay, Monica “Lexi” Cheney, Danielle Altheide, Sean Fowler, Jamie Cheney, Kayla Cheney, Cory Gillum, Karissa Gillum; twenty-two great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Darrel Cheney; sisters-in-law, Roseanne Cheney and Dawn Marie Wolfe. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter-in-law, Kathy Cheney, step-grandson, Curtis Gillum; brothers, Carol, Bruce and Ronnie Ensminger; sister Betty Schoch; and a brother-in-law, Dewayne Cheney.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Triplett Funeral Home in Mendon, Illinois. Pastor Larry Menschel will officiate. Interment will follow at the New Loraine Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Triplett Funeral Home in Mendon, Illinois. Memorials may be made to Friends of Unit 4 or the Loraine Community Church. 

Floral tributes and Memorial gifts may be viewed at: https://my.gather.app/remember/rita-kay-cheney