Wesley "Wes" S. Cherry, Jr.

Wes was born July 9, 1930, in Springfield, the son of Wesley and Victoria Urbas Cherry. He married Betty Lou Steele on February 5, 1955, in Farmersville, IL.

Wes graduated from Cathedral High School and attended Brown Business College. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Wes was employed with the U.S. Post Office until his retirement after 32 years of service. Wes was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He loved to collect different things for his grandchildren. Wes was a member of the Church of the Little Flower and enjoyed visiting flea markets, collecting baseball cards and character glasses. He also enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. Wes was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Theodore “Teddy”; and sister-in-law, Carolyn.

Wes is survived by his wife, Betty of Springfield; daughters, Sandy (Dan) Birch of Medina, OH, Patty (Kerry) Heckenkamp of Chatham, Vicky (Jerry) Morgan of Springfield, and Anna Marie (Tony) Reese of Rochester; brothers, Louis “Buckie” and Stuart (Barb) Cherry of WI; grandchildren, Amanda (Kirk) Cameron, Eric (Christy) Birch, Tracy (companion, Kevin) Celletti, Sara (Josh) Johnson, Travis (Kyli) Heckenkamp, Jason Morgan, Nikki Morgan, Lance (companion, Erica) Morgan, Michael (companion, Shannon) Reese, and Jacob (Paige) Reese; 24 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nephews.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies.

Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 9:00 until 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 South 6th St., Springfield, IL. A Funeral Ceremony will follow at 10:30 a.m.

Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the Department of Defense.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 4400 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110.