Jon C. Cheney, age 71, of Manhattan, passed away after a long-time battle with Multiple Sclerosis on Monday, April 13, 2026 in the comfort of his home. Survived by his wife of 50 years Vicky (nee Anderson) Cheney, his children Aaron Cheney, Adam (Amber Russell) Cheney, the late Alexis (2024) (Duncan) Freer, and Austin (Ellen) Cheney, his grandchildren Elayna (Devon Johnson) Cheney, Riley Cheney, Seth Cheney, Joey Russell, Olivia Russell, Lilah Freer, Callum Freer and Campbell Cheney, his great grandchildren Iris Johnson and Opal Johnson, his mother-in-law Mary Ann Anderson, and his siblings-in-law the late Laurie (2025) (David) Rodriguez, Julie (Glen) Blackwell, Robert (Beverly) Anderson, and Kristy (Christopher) Sucich and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents Harold and Pearl (nee Krech) Cheney and his father-in-law Harold Anderson. Jon was a graduate of Lincoln-Way Central High School, New Lenox. After high school Jon secured a position with E.J. & E Railroad as a carpenter where upon his illness, he took an early retirement. During Jon's healthier years, he was the giver to everyone. He had a talent for fixing anything and was readily available to help anyone that he knew in need. He was the worrier and researcher for anyone making large decisions such as building a house or which model of vehicle should be his or her next purchase. In addition, he was a "Chauffer Extraordinaire" to mainly his wife Vicky but also to his children. When Jon wasn't doing something for someone else, he could be found in his spare time building one of his two homes that he built for his family in Manhattan. Jon was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, a person who simply made the lives of others better. While the family would have loved to celebrate Jon's life in a traditional way, they have recently experienced other great personal and immediate losses and are simply reeling from all of them and are unable to endure a structured celebratory event. Please keep the family along with Jon, his daughter Alexis, and his sister-in-law Laurie in your prayers in the days, weeks, and months to come. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Aaron Cheney, whose constant presence and assistance enabled Jon to stay at home, and to Lightways Hospice, formerly known as Joliet Area Hospice, for their care and support throughout the last five years—your presence made their journey bearable. Donations in Jon's name to Lightways Hospice by visiting www.lightways.org or to The National Society of Multiple Sclerosis by visiting www.nationalsocietyms.org would be most appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St. Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com