Richard Cheatham, 70, of Honolulu, Hawaii, who was visiting relatives here, died suddenly of a heart attack about 9 o'clock Tuesday night immediately after giving a talk at a meeting of Neapolis Lodge 153, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 414 South Ohio avenue. Approximately 35 persons saw him topple from the rostrum at the close of his message on the good of the order to which he had belonged for 41 years.
With his wife, Mrs. Anna Hall Cheatham, he was a guest at the home of his niece, Mrs. Leslie Hale, and his sister, Mrs. Jessie Anderson, 908 West Third street.
He was a corporal in Co. I, Second Missouri infantry. He transferred from the regular army to the cavalry where he served three years and then went into the infantry where he also served three years.
This was Mr. Cheatham's first visit in Sedalia since 1899 after he was discharged from the army following service in the Spanish-American war. Afterward he went to the Hawaiian Islands to make his home and returned to the United States in 1941 before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Prior to his army service he was employed as a pressman on the Sedalia Democrat.
Mr. Cheatham was born in Longwood on July 26, 1875, a son of the late William C. and Sarah Cheatham.
Unable to return to their home in Honolulu since America's entry into World War II, Mr. and Mrs. Cheatham remained on the west coast where he worked in a war plant. With the Japanese surrender Mr. and Mrs. Cheatham had expected to go back to the Islands following their visit here.
He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Polynesia Encampment No. 1, at Honolulu; Olive Branch Rebekah lodge No. 2, IOOF; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Honolulu Post No. 1540; Loyal Order of Moose, Honolulu Lodge No. 800; and Angeles Mass Camp, United Spanish War Veterans of Los Angeles.
Mr. Cheatham is survived by a daughter, Mrs William A. Waterhouse on Mana Kauai, Hawaii; two step-sons, Ralph and Harold Hall of Hawaii and a step-daughter Mrs. Howard Jones of Los Angeles, in addition to his wife and sister. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.
Dr. K. L. Holdren, Pettis county coroner, was called to the lodge hall to examine the body, and determined that death was due to a heart attack.
The body was taken to Gillespie funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 o'clock Friday morning at the Gillespie funeral home with Rev. H. U. Campbell, pastor of the Fifth Street Methodist church, to officiate.
The Odd Fellows will also have a service at the funeral home.
Miss Margaret Edwards and Mrs. W. L. Lewis will sing "Abide With Me" and "Crossing the Bar." Mrs. Mae Moser will be the accompanist.
Pallbearers will be George F. Bryan, James T. Keenan, and R. R. Highleyman from the Veterans of the Spanish-American War, and A. B. Gardner, G. D. Arnold, and Fred Anton of the Independent Order Of Odd Fellows.
Burial will be in Crown Hill cemetery.
