Charles A. Cheney

Charles Albert Cheney, 97 of Malvern, IA passed away Thursday morning, February 13, 2025 at the George C. Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg, Iowa.

Visitation will be held 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Peterson Mortuary in Glenwood followed by a private service at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Peterson Mortuary in Glenwood.  Burial with full military honors will follow the service at the Malvern Cemetery in Malvern, Iowa by the Harry Harman American Legion Post 520 of Malvern.

Charles was born on July 26, 1927 on the family farm near Malvern, IA, the son of Albert and Pearl (Hailer) Cheney.  Charles attended the Maple Grove Country School near Malvern.  Charles honorably served in the U.S. Navy during WW II from August of 1945 until July of 1946.  Charles met the love of his life, Vonda Marie Bell, roller-skating at Porter’s Lake Skating Rink.  They were united in marriage on August 1, 1948 in Mineola, IA.  Charles was called back into service by the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and served from February of 1953 until February of 1955, at which time he was honorably discharged and returned to farming near Malvern.  Charles and Vonda were blessed with three children, Cynthia, Cheryl and Calvin.

Charles spent most of his life working hard and farming in Mills County.  Charles and Vonda were  4-H leaders while their kids were growing up.  Charles enjoyed working the land and raising cattle and hogs, especially when he was with his son, Calvin.  They raised sweetcorn, pumpkin and gourds that provided for all the family, friends and church members.

The family spent their summer vacations in the mountains, enjoying the scenery and being with Colorado family and friends.  They also enjoyed boating together.  The family cherished holidays together and Charles and Vonda made everyone feel incredibly special.  Charles had a sparkling personality and loved to tease, especially his grandchildren.  Charles and Vonda were active members in the St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Council Bluffs until its closing.

Vonda passed away on December 9, 2019.  In addition to Vonda, Charles is also preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Aaron Schaaf; four siblings and one nephew, Truitt Hunter.

Charles is survived by three children, Cynthia Schaaf and her husband, Julius, of Randolph, Iowa, Cheryl Stephens and her husband, Chris, of Malvern, Iowa, and Calvin Cheney and his wife, Barb, of Malvern, Iowa; grandchildren and great grandchildren: Shane Schaaf and wife, Amber, and children, Sid, Sadie, Ava and Chloe, Sarah Ford and husband, Phil, and children, Cory and Brennen, Ethan Stephens and wife, Jensen and children, Connor and Kaysen, Garret Stephens and wife, Lindsey, Paul Pontow and son Cohen, Daniel Pontow and children, Camryn, Teagan and Rudy, Tori Pontow and Brad Klindt, and children, Hayden, Landon and Arleigh, Wyatt Cheney and significant other, Mobashsira Tasnim; sister-in-law, Delores Hall of Colorado; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the Tabor Rescue Squad or the Malvern Rescue Squad.