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Sammy Cheek Obituary
SPRINGFIELD - Sammy D. "Rick" Cheek, 62, of Springfield died at 2:55 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, at River Birch Senior Living.
Rick was born August 10, 1947, in Springfield, to General Martin and Jewell Katherine Bush Cheek. His father preceded him in death in 2006.
He spent most of his life in Springfield; however, for a time, the family lived in Virden. Following graduation from Virden High School, he joined the Army and served his country in Germany during the Vietnam conflict. Rick was a bookbinder for Phillips Brothers Printing Company with 40 years of service when he retired in 2007. He also worked at 709 Liquors, Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Department of Health Care and Family Services. He enjoyed horse racing, traveling, car racing and family.
Rick is survived by his fiancee, Marianne Goeringer of Springfield; son, Derick (wife, Amelia) Cheek of Springfield; mother, Jewell Cheek of Chatham; sister, Ginger (husband, Gerry) Gardiner of Springfield; special friends, Frank and Janet Shafer of Springfield; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at noon with Rev. John Nelson officiating on Thursday, October 22, at Staab Polk Memorial Home, 8855 State Route 4, in Chatham. Burial will follow at Chatham Memorial Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to Memorial Home Hospice, 720 North Bond, Springfield, IL 62702.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sammy Cheek
Gary Cox
October 15, 2020
Sammy...AKA... Rick to his close friends, was my best friend in high school and also though basic training because we joined the Army together. I still think of you, Ricky, and some of the crazy things we did together, and John/ Joe and also Mike. Oh the times we had. I'll never forget them, nor will I ever forget you, Joe, or Mike. I love you guys...my Brothers.
'Buzz'
Ginger Gardiner
November 19, 2009
To Linda Jackson, could you please contact me at [email protected]
Ginger Cheek Gardiner
Linda Jackson
October 31, 2009
I am so saddened by this news...the loss will always be felt as a huge hole that will never be filled. I should have known that something was terribly wrong, in fact I did sense it because it had been so quiet all these months and the million emails I sent went unread...which really was unusual.
I met Sam when the General was having heart surgery all those years back and we were fast and solid friends ever since- a relationship that was cherished. I feel I know you so well Derick :) through your father's stories and Mom(your Grandma)and Bodgett.. oh how he laughed when he told me about the family of baby rabbits Bodgett had eaten out in the yard and how horrified I was by the carnage. He was a wonderful friend to me and I shall miss him terribly. Mama Jewell I feel as if I knew you and the General so well even though we never met...I'm so very sorry and my prayers will be daily for you and the family. I know that the God who loves us all will comfort you and one fine day we'll all meet in Heaven. May God bless your hearts daily; may His love and Grace be multipled to you. I pray His Comfort and Peace heal your hearts and that the memories you have of precious Sam offer solace at this time of adjustment to his loss.I will always miss him.
Vicky Miller
October 27, 2009
Dear Derrick & Amelia,
I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. You and your family are in my heartfelt thoughts and prayers.
Best, Vicky Miller
Vicky Miller
October 27, 2009
Derrick,
I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. You are in our heartfelt thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Best, Vicky Miller
Aleda Gregurich
October 24, 2009
Jewel, Derick, & Ginger, So sorry for your loss & wish I could have been there for the funeral. Bill & I are in Fl. visiting Meghann & Luke. We all send our Love and Prayers. May God bless you all with His strength. Aleda & Family
Sue Thomas-McKenzie
October 22, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Frank and Teri Musso
October 22, 2009
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Linda "Molen" Waddell
October 22, 2009
Dear Jewell & Family - Just heard about Rick's passing and so saddened by your loss. What a great guy and friend. We'll see each other again, of this, I'm certain.
October 22, 2009
Dear Jewell:
I will always remember Rick as finding something funny in almost anything. I don't ever remember him not enjoying every minute of every day. His passing will be a great loss to the class of '65'. May your memories comfort you in this time of your loss.
Linda (Sowerby) Miller, Springfield, Illinois
Amy Sprinkel
October 22, 2009
Derick and Amelia - I have such admiration for the great care and compassion that you provided to your dad in his final days... a wonderful example for us all.
Wishing you much peace at this difficult time. -Amy
Buck Hesse
October 22, 2009
I remember when I first started going to OTB I sat across the aisle from Rick and he was reading the racing form with a magnifying glass and a pair of glasses. I knew right then that he was intensly interested in horseracing. We became good friends and enjoyed sharing handicapping tips back and forth. I will miss your advice and friendship good buddy. Rest in Peace
Buck
Judy Hamilton
October 21, 2009
Marianne,
Cherish the memories and good times that you shared with Rick. He's at peace now and no more pain. You and Rick's family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Judy
Paul Proefrock
October 21, 2009
I am deeply saddened to learn of Ricks passing. He was very special in my life and memories.
I am confident we will meet again. Rest easy, buddy.
October 21, 2009
Derick,
I was very sorry to learn of your dad's passing. I know how close the two of you were.
With sincere sympathy,
Janet Woodard
Amy Teeter
October 21, 2009
Derick, Amelia & Family
Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. Let cherished memories guide you through your sorrow. Our family is praying for you.
With deep sympathy,
The Teeter's
October 21, 2009
Derick & Family,
We are so sorry to hear about you're father. He was a great guy. We just wanted to let You know that We are thinking of you.
George & Diane Stone
Jason & Corey
Riverton, Il.
Gary 'Buzz' Cox
October 21, 2009
My deepest and most sincere thoughts and prayers to Ricky's family. I will never forget all the fun we had, and all the trouble we got into our senior year and then the service and afterwords. The pain is over, may God see that you rest in peace, my friend.
Mark Pell
October 21, 2009
Ginger and family:
I am sorry for your loss. May his memory be for a blessing.
Gary 'Buzz' Cox
October 21, 2009
My deepest sympathy along with my thoughts and prayers to Ricky's family.
I remember all the good times we had our senior year playing football together and running around together. After we both came home from the service, Ricky and I would laugh about him saying that he must be the only guy to go over seas and have his parents move, so that he did not know where they lived or where he was going home to.
Julee, thanks, for all the days and nights we spent listening to Jimmy Hendricks and fighting over football games at you and General's house when we came home from the service, ...they are some of my fondest memories.
We had just found each other on line and started to correspond with each other after all these years, not long before he found out he was sick. I know he is in a much better place and not in pain anymore, but I will miss our emails, greatly.
Linda Krendick
October 21, 2009
Dear Derick, Amelia & Family,
Sending my sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Linda Krendick, Morton
Mary Johnson
October 21, 2009
Derick and family
My prayers are with you.
Gary "Buzz" Cox
October 21, 2009
Jewell...I send my deepest regards and sympathy to you, his fiancee and his son. Joe and I have tried everything we could think of for me to come out, but there just is not enough time for me to have things here where I can leave in time to get there. I am so sorry...I have so many good memories of Rick and I, and all the days and nights we spent at your house when we got out of the service.... I will always remember he used to laugh and say that he must be the only person that ever went into the service and his folks moved while he was gone, so he did not know where they lived or where going home was at. All I can say is that Ricky is at peace and out of pain.
We had just found each other on line and corresponded with each other after all these years not long before he found out he was sick. I know he is in a much better place, and I will miss our emails, greatly.
Victoria Gheorghe
October 21, 2009
Derick and Family: I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. I hope you find comfort in knowing that many thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Victoria Gheorghe
Erika Fischer
October 21, 2009
Dear Derick and Amelia,
On behalf of the Office of SBDCs at SBA, please accept our condolences for your loss. I know that your father must have been a wonderful man judging from the son he left behind.
Sue Hines
October 21, 2009
Derick and family,
please accept my heartfelt sympathy over the loss of your dad. Rick was one of the nicest men I have ever known.I have respected and admired him since 1991. God bless you through this most difficult time.
GHS Class of '75
October 21, 2009
Ginger and family,
We would like to send our sincere condolences on the loss of your brother.Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linley and Rebecca White
October 21, 2009
Deepest sympathies to your family.
October 21, 2009
Dear Derick & Amelia
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your entire family for the loss of your father.
Bev Malooley, Oglesby
October 21, 2009
Derick, Amelia & Family:
I would like to extend my condolences to all of you and I will keep you in my prayers.
Kathleen Conway, DCEO, Chicago
Kathleen Bishop
October 21, 2009
Derick and Amelia,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sincerest sympathies.
Kathleen B
Bob Hofstetter
October 21, 2009
Ginger and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
John Langheim
October 21, 2009
I will miss you stopping by the store to talk about our days together in Virden. Rest easy old friend. Thoughts and prayers for family of Ricky.
John J.(Joe) Langheim
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