Peggy E. Cheshier

Peggy E. Cheshier

Peggy (Wilson) Cheshier of Neodesha, Kansas graduated to glory in her sleep Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at Wilson Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends.

Peggy’s faith in Jesus Christ was the center of her life, and His grace enabled her to have a profound impact on her family and community throughout her life.

Peggy was born and raised in Russellville, Arkansas with her 2 sisters, Jane and Pat, and her parents, Harry and Leta Wilson. Harry, known to all as “Buddy” or “Papa Buddy” was well known as the owner and manager of the Little Model Cafe in downtown Russellville. Leta was a homemaker and faithfully attended church with the girls. Peggy had started piano lessons as a young child and by age 12 was pianist at the church, where she accompanied the choir and soloists, as well as playing piano anthems for preludes and special occasions. When Peggy was a freshman at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, she met a handsome Arkansas Tech sophomore, Davey Cheshier, and they were married on July 28, 1950. They both pursued their love for biblical studies and southern gospel music at South Central Bible College. Dave sang in gospel quartets while Peggy accompanied the groups, which were quite popular.

Dave and Peggy moved to Benton, Arkansas for a short time where Dave started his teaching career at the local high school. They soon followed Peggy’s cousin, Alma Lazenby, to Neodesha where Dave resumed his teaching career at Neodesha High School. Dave was well known as a teacher of English and History, while Peggy held several jobs in town, including marketing and advertising at First Neodesha Bank. All the while, they raised their five children, and, along with three cousins, formed the “Cheshier Family Singers”. Peggy made costumes, designed sets, arranged songs, and played piano for the group, which was named “Musical Family of the Year” for 1976 by the Kansas Federation of Women’s Clubs. Dave and Peggy went into ministry as pastors of

The Lord’s Chapel in 1982, and when Dave retired from teaching in 1987, they continued their ministry full-time until 2018, when they retired. During their years as members of the Neodesha community they helped many people and contributed greatly to the development of the business, industrial, as well as spiritual culture of their hometown. Peggy particularly enjoyed hosting her many friends and planning all kinds of lavish events. She was known as the “life of the party” and was loved by all who knew her, which was practically everyone! She was creatively energetic and constantly imagined things to do for Neodesha. One example was the establishment of the annual “Home for the Holidays” event at the Neodesha Arts Center, but there are many more.

Peggy is survived by her dear husband, Dave, of the home, son Kim (Suprena) of Chanute, daughters Kerry (Garry) Lambert of Neodesha, Ghendi (Ray) Essington of Neodesha and Shani (Doug) Stacy of Independence, sister Jane (Larry) Brockway of Fredonia, grandchildren James Cheshier, Ian (Tyke) Cheshier, Layna (Joel) Dugan, Lindsey (Noah) Collins, Kaley (Eric) Newkirk, Colin (Dianne) Victory, Kyle Cheshier, Lance Cheshier, Nick Essington, Piper Essington, Skylar (Ashley) Stacy, and Zach (Megan) Stacy, special nephews Gordon Adkins, Buddy Adkins, great nieces and nephews Gaige Adkins, Paige (Bryan) Ellison, Adam (Falon) Adkins, Quenton (Jessica) Adkins, and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jimmy Earl Cheshier, sister Pat Stout, son Jeff Cheshier, nephew John Adkins, and grandson Joshua Stacy.

Memorial Service for Peggy is Saturday, February 22 at 10:00 am at Christ Church of Neodesha, 10th and Elm Street.

Livestream of the service will be available on the Christ Church of Neodesha Facebook page. Flowers are welcome, but, as an alternative, please consider blessing people in Peggy’s honor by donating to the Christ Church Benevolence Fund. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.loranfawcettfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of Loran Fawcett Chapel.