Eugene A. Cherny, 87, of the town of Matteson, Waupaca County, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2014, peacefully at his home. Eugene was born on Dec. 3, 1926, in Clintonville, the son of the late Albert and Augusta (Diem) Cherny.
When he was a child, Eugene’s family traveled and lived in various areas within the United States, eventually settling near Shawano. Eugene attended Shawano Public Schools and on Feb. 28, 1945, entered the U.S. Navy, attaining the rank of fireman second class. He was honorable discharged from the Navy on July 18, 1946, and returned to Shawano County.
On Sept. 20, 1947, Eugene married Janet Kerneen at the Peace Lutheran Church, Split Rock. The couple lived and farmed near Marion for 47 years. While farming, Eugene also worked as an auto mechanic at Bertram’s in Marion, Clintonville Motors, O’Connor Automotive, Embarrass, as well as being the all-around neighborhood mechanic. In 1995 the couple moved to the Township of Matteson. Janet preceded her husband in death on Feb. 19, 2005, after 57 years of marriage.
Survivors include his daughters, Bonnie Rank and Penny Cherny, Clintonville; sons, James (Connie) Cherny, Bear Creek, Thomas (Ellen) Cherny, New Franken, and Andrew Cherny, Green Bay; grandchildren, Jonathan (Annie) Cherny, Christine (Mike) Yunek, Carrie (Chip) Curtis, Jim Cherny (special friend, Melanie), Emily (Arthur) Groenink, Merry (Jesse) Shaekleford, Paul (Zori) Cherny, Leigh-Ann Cherny and Andrea (Kegan) McMullen; and 12 great-grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janet; two brothers, Earl and Rusty; and his son-in-law, Thomas Rank.
Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2014, at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville, with Zori Cherny officiating. Interment will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service. Military honors will be provided at the cemetery by American Legion Post 63 and VFW Post 664 of Clintonville.
An online guest book may be signed at www.eberhardtstevenson.com.