David Gerald Cheever

David Gerald Cheever, age 74, of Macon, MO, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at the Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, MO.
David was born on May 8, 1948 in Macon, the son of Gerald H. and Dorothy L. (Dille) Cheever. He was united in marriage to Patty Julius on September 23, 1972 in Macon, MO. David worked for Peabody and Associated Electric for 25 years. After the mine closed in 1993, David taught welding at Macon Area Vo-Tec School for 16 years. Although his career path changed, he was always most proud of being a coal miner. He was also proud of operating the Big David machine for many years. His dad, Gerald, was also an operator which was unique for a father-son duo.
David and Patty lived on 40 acres in Bevier and David always had all kinds of animals in earlier years; Belgium horses, mules, ducks, miniature donkeys, geese, goats, dogs, and cats. He enjoyed opening the Bevier Museum on week-ends and talking with visitors about strip mining and the B&S Railroad that delivered coal to the mine. David also enjoyed getting in his white truck with one of his buddies, Wayne Miller, Bobby Roberts, Mike Brammer, and the late John Dille, and heading off to Amish Country for the day. He would come home with fresh vegetables, pumpkins, mums, pickles, or whatever else he could purchase.
David was always interested in what his nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews were doing. He attended many of their events through the years. David also coached football for the Macon Junior High team and truly enjoyed teaching young men lifetime skills. He followed his nephew, Clint Baldwin, all during his football career and was so proud of him.
David is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patty Cheever of the home; one sister, Becky (Cheever) Baldwin and her husband Dennis; brother-in-law, Randy Julius; nieces, Robyn Howell (Kurt), Amanda (Albrothross) Warren (Scott), Kerri Miller (Wayne), and Krista Bruenn (Jeremy); nephew, Clint Baldwin (Natalie); and great nieces and nephews, Evyn, Blythe, Karys Howell, Silas Baldwin, Rockland Baldwin, Lindsey Phillips (Chase), Jonathan Basler (Bree), Anna Miller, and Cooper Basler.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, John David and Eula (Haney) Dille and Frank and Dorcie (Lucas) Cheever; and his sister, Donna (Cheever) Albrothross.
A private memorial service with no visitation will be held on Monday, March 13, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Hutton & McElwain Funeral Home in Macon. Inurnment will be in St. Charles Cemetery in Bevier. Memorials may be made to Bevier Black Diamond Museum c/o Patty Cheever.