Thomas Edward Cheesman Sr., 91

EAST NEW MARKET - Thomas Edward Cheesman Sr., died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, in Chesapeake Woods, Cambridge. He was 91. Born Jan. 29, 1917 in East New Market, he was the son of the late James Monroe Cheesman Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Sellers Cheesman. During World War II, Mr. Cheesman served as a Minute Man in Dorchester County and was a life long farmer. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in East New Market, a former member of Dorchester County Farm Bureau, and an avid fox hunter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Charlotte Caine, who died on Dec. 25, 1992; four brothers, James Cheesman, Albert Cheesman, Elwood Cheesman, and William Cheesman Sr.; and one sister, Irene Layton. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Evelyn Phillips Cheesman, of East New Market; one daughter and her husband, Joyce C. and Rick Marshall, of Cambridge; two sons and their wives, Thomas Edward and Judie Cheesman Jr., of East New Market, and Donald L. and Cindy Cheesman, of East New Market; nine grandchildren, Christine Hendricks, Valerie Blackwell, Brad Cheesman, Michelle Spedden, Donald Cheesman Jr., Chad Cheesman, Angie Himelright, Brian Marshall, and Scott Marshall; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson; seven sisters, Mary Phillips, of Cambridge, Agnes Edge, of Cambridge, Audrey Harding, of East New Market, Hilda Gemeny, of East New Market, Betty Wheatley, of Hudson, Shirley McCready, of Cambridge, and Dorothy Ruark, of Fishing Creek; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008 at Trinity United Methodist Church in East New Market, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Rev. Delmer Willey will officiate. Burial will follow in East New Market Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Donald Cheesman Jr., Chad Cheesman, Brian Marshall, Scott Marshall, Corey Beebe, and Marty Cheesman. Memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 95, East New Market, MD 21631; or to East New Market Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 280, East New Market, MD 21631. The Zeller Funeral Home in East New Market is handling the arrangements.