Earsel "Jim" Cheek

Earsel “Jim” Cheek, age 84 of New Miami, passed away at his residence on Thursday, October 2, 2025. He was born in Bailey Switch, Kentucky on June 8, 1941 the son of Chester and Lizzy (Marion) Cheek. Jim was employed in Plant Protection for Champion Paper Company for twenty-seven years, retiring in 1998. He was the Pastor of Hamilton Baptist Temple for numerous years. On August 22, 1960, in Barboursville, Kentucky he married Phyllis Kidwell.

Jim was very involved in the New Miami Community. He served as the Mayor, a Council Member, and Firefighter, Life Squad, and Police officer. He also served as the Village of Athletics Director. Jim traveled seventeen years singing with the Wilderness Family Gospel Quartet.

Jim is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Phyllis Cheek; three children, Donald (Donna) Cheek, Teresa (Todd) Roberts, Kenneth (Sandie) Cheek; son-in-law, Jay Smith; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Rita Smith; and three siblings, Annette (Tom) McKeehan, John E. (JoAnn) Cheek, and Gleda (Ralph) Sipe.

Funeral service will be held at Brown Dawson Flick Funeral Home, 330 Pershing Ave., Hamilton, Ohio, on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM with Rev. Arnie Turner and Pastor Steve Allen officiating. Burial will follow at Butler County Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to funeral home to assist with funeral expenses.