Stephen M. Cherry

Stephen Martin Cherry, 70, passed away Friday, January 5, 2018, at his home in Pendleton. He was born May 23, 1947, in Shelbyville. A 1965 graduate of Shelbyville High School, Steve received his B.S. in Speech Education and Radio/TV in 1969 from Ball State University and his M.A. degree in 1974 from BSU.A much loved and dedicated teacher, he worked for Pendleton Heights Middle/High Schools from 1969 until his retirement in 2005, teaching Speech, Driver’s Ed, and English. Steve was also the station manager of WEEM, the high school radio station, 91.7. Over the years he taught and trained hundreds of students in radio/TV, some of whom now have jobs in that field. During his career, he coached cross country, track, and golf. He was a mentor to the youth in the community. After retiring as a teacher, he served as the Assistant Athletic Director until 2012. Steve was an IHSAA official for over 30 years, travelling the state of Indiana refereeing countless high school basketball, football, baseball, and girls’ softball games, including state finals in each of those sports. In 1990, he was named the Roy Gardner Basketball Official of the Year. Steve enjoyed attending and assisting at numerous sporting events at the high school, including announcing games, providing drinks, food and candies, and was always available to help wherever needed. A proud Arabian supporter, he had a love for all Pendleton athletics. Steve served as a past president of the Parks & Recreation Board of Directors. He loved Pendleton and remained active in the community. He was well-known for his unselfish generosity, caring nature and thoughtfulness shown not only to the thousands of students that he taught, but also to many others in the Pendleton Community. He was an avid fan of Butler Basketball and the LA Dodgers. Steve had a passion for travel and led group trips to Europe, Hawaii, and Florida numerous times. Steve was a member of the Pendleton Christian Church.Survivors include his mother, Lois Cherry Slaton; sister, Ann (husband, Scott) Baker; brother, Jim (wife, Cheryl) Cherry; nieces & nephews, Kyle (wife, Teresa) Baker, Renae (husband, Jeremy) Buchanan, Holly Baker, and Daniel Cherry; great nephews, Elijah Baker & Rhett Buchanan; and his Pendleton Family. He was preceded in death by his father, Martin Meredith Cherry. Visitation from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, January 12, at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory, Lahm Chapel. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 13 at Pendleton Heights High School Auditorium, with an hour of calling prior. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville.Memorial contributions are requested to the PHHS Athletic Department.