Patty Irene (Veach) Cheatum, 94, passed away Friday, January 5, 2024, at Eaglecrest Retirement Community in Salina, Kansas. She was born October 25, 1929 in Rolla, Kansas, the daughter of Linnie R. Veach and Marie (Floyd) Veach.
When Patty was 6 years old, the family moved to Stanton County. At the age of 10, the family moved to Syracuse, Kansas, where she attended Syracuse High School and graduated in 1947. Patty went on to further her education attending Fort Hays Kansas State Colleges and obtained an emergency teaching certificate. She used her knowledge from college as a teacher for 3 years in rural country schools.
On January 30, 1949, Patty married Richard “Dick” Eldon Cheatum in Syracuse. To this union three children were born: Rick, Jamie and Jody. Patty spent much of her time as a housewife and mother taking care of her children. When the children were older, Patty worked at various places including part-time bookkeeper at Hilltop Lanes, bookkeeper at First National Bank, Gould Implement and R & H Implement as a bookkeeper and a customer service representative at People’s Natural Gas, from which she retired in 1995. In 2017, she moved to High Plains Retirement Village in Lakin, Kansas, due to her health. In 2021, she moved to Eaglecrest Retirement Community in Salina and resided there until her passing.
Patty was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Syracuse. She was an avid bowler and attended multiple state and national bowling events. Most of all, Patty enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, and friends.
Patty is preceded in death by her parents, Linnie R. and Marie (Floyd) Veach; her husband Richard “Dick” Cheatum; sisters Wanita Keyes, Claudine Cheatum, Reba McGonagle and brothers Dale Veach and Ken Veach.
Patty is survived by sons, Rick (Debra) Cheatum of Pocatello, ID; Jamie (Glenda) Cheatum of Salina, KS; daughter Jody Cheatum of Manhattan, KS; grandchildren Nicole Cheatum of Boise, ID; Gretchen Holopirek of Larned, KS; Travis (Maria) Cheatum of El Paso, TX; Sabrina (Jason) Fink of Salina, KS; Cory (Lindsey) Wilson of Merritt Island, FL; Gary (Sierra) Wilson of Lenexa, KS; Rochelle (Philip) Newman of Prairie Village, KS; great grandchildren Autumn, Jace and Kenzi Holopirek of Larned, KS; Taylyr Webb of Norfolk VA; Kylee (Tad) Holm of Hawaii; Lane Cheatum of Atwood, KS; Jackson Cheatum of Leoti, KS; Dallas and Diego Cheatum of El Paso, TX; Morgan and Logan Fink of Salina, KS; Amelia and Charles Wilson of Merritt Island, FL; Graham and Maxwell, Wilson of Lenexa, KS; Mabel and Margaret Newman of Prairie Village, KS; and great-great grandchild TJ Holm of Hawaii and numerous family and friends.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM (MST) at the First United Methodist Church in Syracuse, KS. Interment will follow in the Syracuse Cemetery, Syracuse. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 2:00-5:00 PM (MST) at Fellers Funeral Home LLC in Syracuse, KS.
Memorial contributions may be payable to Hamilton County Library and may be sent in care of Fellers Funeral Home LLC, PO Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. 620-384-5100.