Robert Cheek

ULLIN, Ill. -- The funeral for Robert M. Cheek of Ullin was held Saturday at Crain Funeral Home. Ronnie Gulley officiated. Burial was in Christian Chapel Cemetery.

Cheek, 82, died Wednesday, July 31, 2002, at Herrin Hospital.

He was born May 23, 1920, in Coatesville, Ind., son of George and Opal Storm Cheek. He and Ruth Swadener were married Feb. 19, 1942.

Cheek operated Cheek Shell in Ullin. In 1966 he moved the station to the Interstate 57 exit, and in 1975 added Cheeko's Restaurant and in 1986 added Best Western Cheekwood Inn.

He had been a 4-H leader, member of auxiliary police in Terre Haute, Ind., founding board member and former vice president of Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau. Cheek was a member and past president of Ullin Civic Club, served on the local Illinois Council of Vocational Education and served on the committee to bring Cache Valley Assisted Living to Ullin.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Larry and David Cheek of Ullin; five daughters, Linda Gibbons of Columbus, Ohio, Donna Wear of Energy, Ill., Loretta Tacker of Marion, Ark., Carol Wolfe of Garland, Texas, Debra Dexter of Ullin; 19 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two grandchildren.