James Philip Cherry, 69, of Girard, IL, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at his home in Girard, IL.
Jim was born May 14, 1954, in Springfield, IL, the son of Philip and Helen (Allen) Cherry. He graduated salutatorian from Girard High School in 1972 and attended Millikin University in Decatur, IL, where he became a member of Delta Sigma Phi and graduated cum laude, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Business and Industrial Management. He started and played as an offensive lineman on successful football teams for Girard Big Red and Millikin Big Blue. On October 18, 1980, he married his everlasting love Dawn Mercer at the First Christian Church of Girard.
Jim grew up in the grocery business, working alongside his father as a boy at Cherry's Country Store, in Girard, IL. He purchased the store from his dad in 1987 and became the owner and operator. Jim worked with valued employees to continue the tradition of "The Home of Fine Meats" and could be found at any given hour of the day stocking and facing shelves, ordering inventory, meticulously keeping books, or performing any of the daily operations. He oversaw a number of expansions and renovations and joined the Independent Grocers Alliance in 1995, renaming the business Cherry's IGA. Through a commitment to high standards and an effort to serve customers, Cherry's IGA earned multiple 5 Star store awards. After marking the 108th year of family ownership, Jim and Dawn sold the store to Niemann Foods Inc. in 2014 to enjoy retirement.
See more at: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/james-cherry-obituary?id=54483015
