Earl "Red" LaVern Cherrey, 83, formerly of Williston, North Dakota, and longtime Fairview, Montana resident, passed away Monday evening, July 19, 2004, at his home following a rapidly progressing illness.
Rosary and Wake Services will be 5:30 p.m. MDT, Thursday, July 22, 2004, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Sidney, Montana. Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. MDT, Friday, July 23, 2004, also at St. Matthew's. Father Ned Shinnick will officiate and interment will be in the family lot at the Parshall Cemetery in Parshall, North Dakota. The Edgar M. Boyd American Legion Post No. 37 of Williston will conduct military rites there at 4:00 p.m. CDT. Before the services, friends may call at the Everson Funeral Home of Williston Wednesday from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. CDT, and at St. Matthew's on Friday for one hour before Mass.
Red was born to John Rilet and Agnes Jane (Curry) Cherrey on April 5, 1921, in Souris, Manitoba, Canada. During March 1923, the Cherrey family moved to Williston to establish their home in the United States. Red attended grade schools and high school in Williston while also working on the family dairy farm that was established in 1926.
Red was an active member of the Williston National Guard Company E that left home on March 18, 1942, to serve our country in the Pacific during World War II. Red and the North Dakota Infantrymen of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 164th Infantry Regiment, Americal Division had engaged the enemy and won at the Solomon Islands of Bouganinville and Guadalcanal, and the Philippine Island of Leyte. Red obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, American Defense Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one star, and the Good Conduct Medal. He returned home honorably discharged from active service on June 8, 1945. Company E was later recalled on January 1, 1951, during the Korean Conflict and Red became an Army Ranger and commissioned officer while stationed in Ft. Benning, Georgia prior to reporting to Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 169th Infantry Regiment in N?rnberg, Germany. Honorably discharged from active duty on April 29, 1954, Red obtained the rank of Captain and was awarded the Army of Occupation (Germany) and National Defense Service Medals.
On December 2, 1950, Red was united in marriage to Edith "Tiny" Helen Finke at St. Bridgit's Catholic Church in Parshall. They lived in Williston, Ft. Benning and N?rnberg before settling in Fairview. On May 1, 1955, Red established Cherrey's Propane in Fairview, operating as a commissioned agent for the Westland Oil Company of Minot, North Dakota. Cherrey's Propane was later affiliated with the Flying J and Petrolane corporations. Red re-established Cherrey's Propane as a sole proprietorship in 1980, and then retired in 1984. He was a part-time substitute rural mail carrier for the Fairview Post Office during the 1970s and 1980s, became full-time 1984-1989, then retired on February 24, 1989. Also in Fairview, he established Cherrey's Petroleum and Cherrey's Red Top Service on June 1, 1987, and May 15, 1989, respectively and then retired on September 15, 1999. The businesses Red started are still family owned and operated.
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Red actively served the community for 32 years with the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department, including a term as Fire Chief, retiring from the department on September 12, 1989. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, the Knights of Columbus, and the 164th Infantry Association, which included a term as President. Red was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Fairview.
He enjoyed electronics, computers, and traveling in his motor home visiting family and friends throughout the United States and Canada.
Red is survived by one brother, Norman A. Cherrey of Richfield, Minnesota; eleven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and eight children: John J. Cherrey (Marilyn) of Denver, Colorado; Patrick E. Cherrey (Betty) of Fairview, Montana; Michael P. Cherrey (Carol) of Farmington, New Mexico; Kathleen M. Marsonette (Roger) of Kalispell, Montana; Kevin L. Cherrey (Merlene) of Fairview, Montana; Elaine J. Entzel (Tim) of Sidney, Montana; Kelly D. Cherrey of State College, Pennsylvania; and Jeannie E. Lassey (Ron) of Sidney, Montana.
Red was preceded in death by his parents John and Agnes of Williston, three brothers: Gordon, Lloyd, and Raymond of Williston, and his wife Tiny.
