Stephen George Chernock 1925 - 2010

CHERNOCK DONNAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/1/2010 at 23:46:06

Sioux City Journal
4 July 2010

SIOUX CITY -- Stephen George Chernock, 84, formerly of Sioux City, died peacefully May 27, 2010, at his residence in Hobe Sound, Fla., surrounded by his family.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at Knights of Columbus Hall, 1805 W. 29th Street, (old Highway 20) in South Sioux City, with Pastor Jerry Gilbrath officiating. A celebration of life luncheon will immediately follow the service. All are welcome to come sit and enjoy some food and laughs as we remember Steve and the positive footprints he left in our hearts.

Steve was born Dec. 26, 1925, to Paul and Anna Chernock, in Mahanoy City, Pa. He was one of six children and a brother to Millie, Mike, Johnny, Paul and Martin "Slim".

Steve was a gifted athlete as a young man and later was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as a radio operator and was on his company's baseball team, where he owned second base. He was honorably discharged following the war and began a career with Canteen Corp. based out of Chicago, Ill. This is when he met and fell in love with Virginia Jane Donnan of Metuchen, N.J.

The two were married on Feb. 25, 1949. The couple had four children and ultimately settled in Sioux City. That is where Steve loved to call home and where he and Virginia raised their family. During his healthy years, he loved to garden and go camping in Yankton, S.D., with his friends and their fifth wheel campers.

Upon retirement, Steve and Virginia felt the warmth of southern Florida beckon to them and relocated there. They traveled back and forth in his Ford Ranger pickup truck until last year.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years and the love of his life, Virginia Chernock; a brother, Martin "Slim" Chernock of New Jersey; three children, Chris Chernock (Jo) of South Sioux City, Becki Chernock-Somlyo (Barry) of Overland Park, Kan., and Andy Chernock of Parkland, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Jade Susan Chernock of Overland Park, Christopher, Alexander, Nicholas and Andrew Chernock of Parkland, Sarah Chernock-Newton (Darin) of Albuquerque, N.M., Sam and Dane Chernock of South Sioux City; and two great-grandchildren, Lorelai and Dexter Newton, of Albuquerque.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his eldest child, Susan Louise Chernock.