Alphonse "Herb" Leander Cheray

Alphonse “Herb” Leander Cheray of Overland Park, KS passed away on September 15, 2025 at Advent South hospital in Overland Park, KS. Herb was 88 years old, born February 26, 1937 in Seneca, KS to Alphonse C. Cheray and Mary Ann Cheray. He attended school at St. Benedict’s Catholic school in St. Benedict’s, Kansas. He later attended St. Benedict’s college in Atchison, KS. He served in the Kansas Air National Guard from 1959-1965. He married the love of his life, Janice Ann, on August 29, 1959 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Conway Springs, KS. Initially, they resided in Colwich, KS, while “Herb” was working at Boeing. In 1962, They moved to Mission, KS and “Herb” accepted a job in Kansas City, with Western Auto in the early days of Information technology. As the family grew, in 1962, they moved to Overland Park, KS. In 1979, he joined the Lee Company with the Information Technology team. Following a successful career, he and his wife retired at age 65 and enjoyed much travel and spending time with their children and grandchildren. He was a spiritual man, an avid golfer, and a passionate gardener. He enjoyed attending Kansas City Royals baseball games and shared season tickets with family and friends since the mid-1990’s. He loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting games and tournaments, even when it involved travel. He always put his wife, children, and grandchildren as his highest priority. He was always regarded as the life of the party, was friends with everyone he ever met, and enjoyed laughing, joking with friends and family, and never made an enemy. He was the voice of common sense, practical advice, and wisdom on life, investing, home repair, automobile purchasing, and many other topics. He and his wife were active members of the Catholic Church at Queen of the Holy Rosary in Overland Park, and later became members of Church of the Ascension Catholic Church in Overland Park.

He was a kind, loving, welcoming, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a dear friend to many. He was devoted to his faith in God and his love of the virgin Mary, and prayed the rosary daily with his wife, Jan.

Herb was preceded in death by his sisters Julie McBride, Teresa Marie, and Mary Ann Osterhaus, his brothers John and Joe, and his daughter Nancy Cheray.

Herb is survived by his loving wife, Janice Cheray, and his sister Rita Shoup. His children: Jane (Bruce) Hall, Jim Cheray MD, and Brenda (Mark) Scott. His grandchildren: James (Sofia) Cheray, Christopher (Anna) Hall, Andrew (Cassandra) Cheray MD, Logan (Jessica) Scott, Michael Scott, Jacqueline “Lexi” Cheray OTD, and Nicole Scott. His great grandchildren: Kevin, Gregory, Allison, and Levi Hall; Daisy Cheray; Wyatt and Lily Scott.

A Rosary will be prayed on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145.

A Catholic funeral Mass will be held at Church of the Ascension Catholic Church, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66213, on Saturday September 20, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Services will begin with a Rosary at 9:15 a.m. followed by a brief Visitation. The Mass will be followed by a procession to Resurrection Cemetery, 8300 Quivira Road, Lenexa, KS 66215, for burial. A luncheon will be provided back at Ascension Catholic Church following brief services at the cemetery.