Rev. James "Jim" Charles Cheatham

Rev. James Charles Cheatham, 89, of Mansfield, died Thursday, August 3, 2017, at The Waterford after a battle with cancer. He was born March 7, 1928, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, one of eight children of the late Lewis Patrick Cheatham and Sylpha Marie Craig Cheatham.

Jim joined the United States Navy after graduating from high school and served from 1946-1948. After his discharge from the Navy, Jim went home and married Eloise Barnhart. God soon placed a call upon Jim's life to serve in full-time Christian ministry. He graduated from Piedmont International University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with a degree in Bible and Ministry Studies before returning home to start ministry in a local church. In 1962, Jim moved his family to Ohio serving with Child Evangelism Fellowship, which reaches children and youth for Christ. After a few years in Columbus, he then moved to Mansfield where he served the next 45 years for CEF in Ashland, Richland and Morrow counties. After retiring from CEF, he served as an assistant pastor and ministered to the "Keenagers" (those 55 and older) at Mansfield Alliance Church. Known to many as "Uncle Jim", he leaves a legacy of following Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Jim is survived by his children, Nancy (Jon) Shellhaas of Louisville, KY, Jonathan (Lollie) Cheatham and Celeste (Steve) Kern; seven grandchildren, Katelyn (Joe) Chambers, Nate (Leigha) Shellhaas, Chris Cheatham, Ashleigh (nee Cheatham) Hacker, Jacob (Amy) Kern, Peter (Breanne) Kern and Elise Kern; eight great-grandchildren, Ryleigh Hacker, Christopher Cheatham, Haileigh Cheatham, Aeden Kern, Oliver Kern, Jolie Chambers, Maisie Chambers and one due in December; and a sister, Myrtle Wilson of Chesterville, VA.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife, Eloise Cheatham; brother, Lewis Cheatham; and sisters, Mildred Wade, Frances Craig, Helen MacReynolds, Dorothy Nuzum and Alize Raven.

The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at Mansfield Alliance Church, 291 W. Cook Road, Mansfield. The memorial service will immediately follow at 3:00 p.m. with his son, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Cheatham officiating. Private family burial at Oak Grove Memorial Park will be observed. Memorial contributions may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, PO Box 67, Mansfield, OH 44901-0067. The Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is privileged to serve the family.