Ron Cheyney passed away Saturday, February 14, 2026, at his home in Newton.
He was born on March 6, 1956, to Ray and Arlene Cheyney.
Growing up, Ron excelled at many things, but his towering frame led him to play basketball. As God would have it, this would take him to Sterling, where he attended Sterling College to play
basketball. While looking at a Campus Life Magazine, he saw an ad for Sterling College featuring a cute girl and said, ?I?m going to marry that girl.? Ron was a man of his word and when he got to Sterling,
he met Carol Ray and they quickly fell in love. Carol became Ron?s whole world and they were married on March 15, 1980. They would go on to have five children and move around as Ron searched for a career he enjoyed that
would provide stability for a growing family.
Every job Ron held, he quickly proved himself to be invaluable. Finally, in October 1984, Ron found himself at The Coleman Company. Starting as a shift lead in the factory, Ron continued
to improve processes at Coleman and more importantly, poured into the lives of his employees. As he worked up the corporate ladder, Ron continued to listen, care for, and trust his employees. Whether that was by serving them
hot dogs and cheeseburgers through three shifts and all hours of the night, walking the floor to teach a new employee how to run a machine, helping plan and participate in the Coleman Employee Campouts, or just being an ear
to listen, Ron was always there for his employees.
Outside of work, not only was Ron a devoted family man, he was a man of many hobbies. He loved solving problems and creating beautiful things. This led him to stained glass projects, home
renovations for himself or his children, and his love for woodworking. He owned and operated a wood shop for the last few years of his life, allowing him to continue creating and making new friends.
Last June, Ron was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer that eventually took his body. However, it didn?t take his spirit because up until his last breath,
Ron was a large, joyful, vibrant and welcoming man. There wasn?t a person he met he didn?t treat with love, respect, and kindness. His greatest gift was the ability to connect with everyone and to show others love
that he had known because of his strong faith in Jesus Christ. Ron wasn?t afraid of death because of his faith in where he would spend eternity. However, he wasn?t quite ready to leave his beloved family, of which
he was so proud. One of Ron?s greatest desires was that people would love one another the way Jesus Christ loves us.
Ron is survived by the love of his life, Carol Cheyney of Newton; mother, Arlene Cheyney of Penney Farms, FL; brother, Don (Jan) Cheyney, Levittown, PA; sister, Lynn Cheyney (Gary Sattler)
of Pasadena, CA; his children, Elizabeth (Matthew) Ziegler of Stillwater, OK; Hannah (Shannon) Hayden of Eudora, KS; Levi (Ashley) Cheyney of Oklahoma City, OK; Christina Cheyney of Wichita, KS; and Samuel (Kalynn) Cheyney
of Wichita, KS; and his grandchildren, Maverick, Anslee and Leo Ziegler; Jackson Smith, Owen and Mabel Hayden; and Olivia, Isaiah and Elaine Cheyney.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life service on Wednesday, March 25th, 11 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church in Newton, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family requests
that donations be made to: Blue Sky Ranch, 8824 S. Hydraulic St, Haysville, KS 67060, blueskyranchkansas.com or First Presbyterian Church, 900 Columbus Ave., Newton, KS, 67114.
