John A. Cherry

OTTAWA – John A. Cherry, 48, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday morning, April 22, 2014 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center following a courageous battle with colon cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 25, 2014 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Reverend Michael Adrie celebrating.  Burial will follow in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening with Rosary at 3:45 p.m. at Gladfelter Funeral Home.  Pallbearers will be Scott Travi, Dave Shipley, Dan Ostby, Jr., Kevin Stiles, Kevin Cummings, and Travis Grey.  Honorary pallbearers will be Dan Ostby, Sr., Ron Shipley, and Troy Fleming.

John was born July 14, 1965 in La Salle, Illinois to John and Mary Cora (Pierce) Cherry.  He was raised by his aunt, Marie Telfer and his great aunt, Marie Loeffler.  John married Pam Shipley May 30, 1998 at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa.  She preceded him in death May 29, 2012.  John is survived by his sons, R.J. and Tyler Cherry of Ottawa; his special aunt, Marie Telfer of Ottawa; his sister, Christina Michelle (Troy) Fleming of Ottawa; cousins, Jan Ramza of Bettendorf IA, Marilyn (Dan) Ostby and Nancy (Charlie) Biffany, all of Ottawa, and Diane Telfer of Cedar Rapids, IA; his in-laws, Ron and Sandy Shipley of Ottawa; his brother in-law, Dave (Tracy Johnson) Shipley of Grand Ridge; his sister in-law, Lori (Mike) Miller of Marseilles; his mother, Mary Clevenger of Belle Pleine, IA; his half-sister, Karen (Rich) Tomkins of Belle Pleine, IA; and his special friends, Scott Travi and Kevin Stiles.  John was preceded in death by a son, John Clifton Cherry; his father; his uncles, Robert and William Telfer; and his great aunt, Marie Loeffler.

John was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church.  He was a Security Guard at Exelon.  In his leisure he enjoyed fishing and hunting of which he was a very skilled marksman.  John and his son, R.J. enjoyed the Martial Arts in which John held a Black Belt.  John was a devoted father to R.J. and Tyler and cherished his time spent with them, his family, and friends.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the R.J. and Tyler Cherry Education Fund or to Masses at St. Francis Church.