Joel Robert Cheshire

Funeral services for Joel Robert Cheshire, 58, of Diboll, will be held Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin, Texas with Pastor Steve Comstock officiating. Interment will follow at West Shady Grove Cemetery in Jacksonville, Texas at 2:00 p.m.

Joel was born July 5, 1967, in La Marque, Texas, to Kenneth Cheshire and the late Wanda (Ward) Cheshire, and peacefully entered into eternal rest on Sunday, March 1, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Joel is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Tammy (Williams) Cheshire of Diboll; daughter and husband Amber and Jonathan Kleowdis of Diboll; daughter and husband Caurie and Morgan Gantz of San Antonio; son James Cheshire of Diboll; son and daughter-in-law Thomas and Alibra Cheshire of Diboll; grandchildren Jorge "G" Salcedo; Parker "Hucklebuddy" Cheshire; Joel "Lukey Lou" Salcedo; Uriah "Ry" Gantz; Chayce "Ricka Chay" Cheshire; Remington "CoCo Bop" Cheshire; Elijah "Ol' Pardner" Gantz; Olivia "Ollie K" Kleowdis; Shane "Homie" Cheshire; brother Ward Cheshire of Houston; sister and brother-in-law Donna and Richard Spoerle of Bradyville TN; father Kenneth Cheshire of Diboll; along with numerous cherished nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Wanda Zell (Ward) Cheshire.

Joel worked as a meat cutter for Brookshire Brothers for 35 years and was the best at processing meat in his spare time to make sausage, bacon, jerky, and could grill and smoke any meats to perfection for family and friends to enjoy.

Joel loved nothing more than spending time with his wife, Tammy, whom he adored. Joel and Tammy met while working together in the meat market at Budget Chopper and it was love at first sight. While Tammy was reaching up to get a block of cheese from a top shelf, Joel decided to rescue the damsel in distress and get the cheese down for her - even though she emphatically said she could do it herself. Joel reached over her and the block of cheese came off the shelf and right onto Tammy's head. They were inseparable from that point forward. Joel always said he knocked her senseless that day, and then he just couldn't get rid of her.

Joel was the best at "playing hooky" with his kids and grandkids on his days off, because "some things are just more important". Those memories are ones that each of his children and grandchildren will hold closely forever. He was a pro at writing notes on those days, too. Some examples: "Please excuse my child for being absent, we didn't feel like coming to school and went bumming around instead", or "Please excuse my child for being late today, I spent too much time writing this note".

Joel was a Godly man and always emulated the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

He will be dearly missed by many.

Pallbearers will be James Cheshire, Thomas Cheshire, Jonathan Kleowdis, Morgan Gantz, Nathan Spoerle, Jacob Spoerle, Jorge "G" Salcedo, and Vertis Bass.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial donations to Samaritan's Purse in Joel's honor. Details can be found at the following link: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/donation-items/us-disaster-relief-donation .

The family will welcome friends on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Shafer Funeral Home for Joel's visitation from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.