Daniel Franklin Cheatham

Daniel Franklin Cheatham, 93, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Nazareth Rehabilitation in Louisville, Ky., after a 10-day illness. A devoted husband and father, Daniel was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 73 years, Elizabeth Ann. His parents Marvin and Maggie Cheatham, seven brothers Ð Dorchester, Justice, J.L., George, Kenneth, Rudolph, and Sanford -- and three sisters Ð Katherine, Isabell, and Alma Ð also preceded him in death. Daniel was born August 08, 1931, in Springfield, Ky., the 8th of 12 children in an area commonly called 'Hog Run.' A country boy at heart, he grew up on a farm and loved tractors, motorcycles and cars. He adapted easily to the big city, coming to Louisville to work as a licensed commercial driver and raise a family.On July 1, 1950, Daniel married his first sweetheart, Elizabeth Ann Greer, the daughter of a farming family that lived in nearby Nelson County. The couple settled in the Hikes Point neighborhood of Louisville, where Daniel worked for the Transit Authority of River City (TARC), Elizabeth Ann taught piano, and they raised three daughters.After 12 years, the Cheathams moved to a quiet subdivision near Mt. Washington (to be closer to family in Nelson County) and built a larger, multi-story brick house. They lived in this house for the rest of their lives, always welcoming children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews to Sunday lunch, birthdays, and holiday meals. Indeed, to call Daniel a 'family man' would be an understatement.When Daniel retired from TARC after 40 years, he still enjoyed people and driving. No one was surprised that he drove for Schmid Funeral Home in Mt. Washington for another 20 years. A Mason for over 50 years, Daniel was a member of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, Salt River Lodge. Daniel was also a member of Mt. Washington United Methodist Church.Daniel is survived by three daughters: Dianna Lee Summers (Don) of Elizabethtown, Ky.; Pamela Joy Stopher (Jeff, deceased) of Taylorsville, Ky.; and Alice Greer Cheatham, of Mt. Washington, Ky.; and one brother, Marvin F. Cheatham of Louisville, Ky., and one sister-in-law, Mattie Greer of Woodlawn, Ky. Grandchildren are Tara Lee Bower (Sean), Daniel Byron Summers, Chad Allen (Samantha), and Wesley Robert Stopher (Kara). Great grandchildren are Violet Bower, Dakota Allen, Cami Clark and Rowan Smith. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with the funeral Monday at 11 a.m. Both visitation and funeral are at Schmid Funeral Home, 9500 KY 44 E, Mount Washington, Ky., 40047. Burial will follow at the Poplar Flat Cemetery in Nelson County.In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Mt. Washington United Methodist Church, 253 Flatlick Rd., Mt. Washington, KY, 40047, with a note to indicate a Memorial Gift for Daniel Cheatham.