Louise Marie Cheatum (95) of Kinmundy

Louise Marie Cheatum, age 95, of Kinmundy, Illinois passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024 at the Salem Township Hospital in Salem.

Louise was born May 17, 1928 in Kinmundy, Illinois, the daughter of William Lewis and Grace Dexter (Feather) Green. She was the youngest of the five Green siblings. She married Elwyn Dale Cheatum April 15th, 1950 at the Kinmundy Christian Church, and he preceded her in death on February 11th, 2014.

Louise is survived by her loving family; daughter Janice Eischens and husband Steve of Salem, grandchildren Elsbeth (Eischens) Charlton and husband Ed of Alma, Cameron Eischens and wife Kaitlin (Koenig) of Dix, and great grandchildren Noah Bushue, Logan Charlton, Tucker Charlton, Carly Charlton, Collin Eischens, and Isaiah Eischens. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Stewart Cheatum, her four siblings; Carl Green and wife Marie, Lyle Green and wife Francis, Burl Green and wife Virginia, and Laura Garrett and husband Emmet. The siblings were lovingly referred to as the “Fab Five” by those who loved them.

Louise graduated Kinmundy-Alma High School and then attended business college. She worked at Lincoln Automotive Supply in Centralia for several years. She spent the remainder of her work career working alongside her husband in various business ventures. They worked together for Dale Carnegie Sales Training and in several real estate businesses in Peoria, Champaign, Mt. Vernon, and Kinmundy. Their final business venture was Buckboard Antiques, a furniture refinishing and antique shop in Kinmundy, Illinois. Louise loved spending time with her family. It was common for the family to gather at the Green Farm, just outside of Kinmundy, for holidays, especially the traditional Christmas night sing-along and the Easter Egg Hunt. The Green Farm was also a favorite place for birthday parties, cookouts, and many Green reunions through the years. The reunions brought family in from all over the United States, and would reach numbers of 100+. Louise always enjoyed sharing history, family stories, music, and lots of laughter. Louise also loved music. She was a wonderful, talented piano player and had a beautiful singing voice. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and gospel music. She was active in the Eastern Star, being their pianist for many years. She also was a member of the Twilight Circle at Kinmundy United Methodist Church, and enjoyed the many trips taken with the church groups, as well as weekly luncheons they would have. One of Louise’s favorite pastimes was traveling with her husband, Elwyn. They traveled and explored nearly every state and always had wonderful stories and pictures to share from their adventures. Louise’s kind, gentle, and loving ways will be missed by all those fortunate enough to know and love her.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Louise, will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, February 29, 2024 at the Kinmundy First United Methodist Church (308 East Third Street), Kinmundy, Illinois with Pastor David Kueker and Steve Eischens officiating. Burial will follow at the Sandy Branch Cemetery, rural Alma. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening at the church where friends may call from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and then on Thursday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Louise’s memory to the Sandy Branch Cemetery and will be accepted through the funeral home. The McGriff Funeral Home in Kinmundy is entrusted with the care and arrangements. To sign the guestbook online or share a memory of Louise, please visit by clicking here.