William S. "Bill" Chernisky Obituary (1922 - 2023)

William S. "Bill" Chernisky, 100, of Pana passed away Thursday, August 10, 2023 in Pana Health & Rehab Center. He was born August 16, 1922 in Pana, IL, son of the late Joseph & Maria (Tokoly) Chernisky. Bill married Mary Ellen Spalding on March 8, 1952 in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Taylorville. She preceded him in death on September 14, 2020. Bill was a graduate of Pana High School, where he played baseball. He was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945, serving during WWII in the 96th Infantry Dead Eye Division and in the Korean War. Bill worked in the oil refinery and retired from Borg-Warner in 1981. He worked for Wal-Mart for nearly 20 years after his retirement. Bill was a prayer warrior and a devout member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Pana. He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting & berry picking, and was an avid sports fan, following the New York Giants and continued to follow them when they became the San Francisco Giants. Bill is survived by his sons: Bill (Cheri) Chernisky, Greenwood, IN and Mike (Deb) Chernisky, O'Fallon, MO; daughter-in-law, Brenda Chernisky, Pana, IL; 4 grandchildren: Angela (Michael) Bolender, Lake Villa, IL; Monica (Cris) Burns, Ft. Worth, TX; David (Julia) Chernisky, Pana, IL; Brock (Sarah) Chernisky, Raymore, MO and 12 great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his son, Donald "Beef" Chernisky on May 12, 2017 and siblings: Joseph Chernisky, Edward Chernisky, John Chernisky, Julia Boesch, Victoria Kull, Paula Wells, Albert Chernisky, Mildred Hennessy & Ann Chernisky in infancy. Funeral mass for Bill will be held on Monday, August 14, 2023 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Pana at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Joseph Havrilka officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Pana with military rites by Pana Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until service time in the church. Memorials in Bill's honor may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Pana and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home who is assisting the family.