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Wendell P. Cheney
Wendell P. Cheney
Wendell P. Cheney, 93, died Monday (Jan. 28, 2002) at his home in McCook.
He was born Aug. 15, 1908, in Stockville to Luke and Clara (Vance) Cheney. He attended Stockville Public Schools through the ninth grade when his family moved to McCook. He graduated from McCook High School in 1926. He graduated in the first class of McCook Junior College in 1928. He also graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1932 and attended Nebraska Law School and was admitted to the Nebraska Bar in 1935.
He practiced law with his father until entering the U.S. Army on Feb. 17, 1942, serving during World War II. Following his discharge from the military, he practiced law for three years and served as the city judge. In November 1948, he was appointed county judge and served as Red Willow County judge for 24 years. The Nebraska judicial system changed and he became county judge for the Fourteenth Judicial District for four years, retiring in 1977.
On June 25, 1961, he married Donna B. Warner in Lincoln. He was a member of the First Congregational Church, the Nebraska Bar Association, McCook Masonic Lodge No. 135 AF and AM, All Masonic Bodies in McCook, the Tehama Western Shrine at Hastings, Nebraska, Tehama Shrine Club in McCook, Eureka Chapter No. 86 Order of Eastern Star, McCook Elks Lodge No. 1434 and the American Legion. He served as past president of the Kiwanis Club, past county chairman of the Red Cross, past president of the Fourteenth Judicial District Bar Association, and was a past president of the Nebraska County Judges Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Donna; one brother, Newell Cheney; and one sister, Dorothy Powers. Survivors include one step-granddaughter, Janelle and husband, Kenneth Garton of Milford; three nieces, Patricia Evans of Lincoln, Carol and husband, Arthur Lashley of McCook, and Linda Cheney of Northglenn, Colo.; two step grandsons; one grand-neice; and two grand-newphews.
Services will be Saturday, 2 p.m., at the First Congregational Church with the Rev. Rod Church officiating. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be left in his name at the funeral home.
Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.