Douglas "Doug" Keith Cheesman

Douglas "Doug" Keith Cheesman, 68, of Springport passed away Saturday, June 22, 2024 at his residence. He was born October 16, 1955 in Kokomo, Indiana to the late Fred Louis and Mable Virginia (Moore) Cheesman. 

He was a member of the 1974 graduating class of New Castle Chrysler High School. Doug then worked for several years with his father and uncles as part of Cheesman Brothers Construction Company. During his tenure there, he learned the art of modern bridge construction and honed his skills as an operator of heavy equipment. In particular, under the tutelage of his father, hebecame a master crane operator and pile driver. Examples of the bridgework that he produced while working with Cheesman Brothers can be found in many places in east-central Indiana. In the ensuing years, Doug worked for a number of companies in his role as a crane operator. Major projects in his later working years included the construction of Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis International Airport, and Super 70 (Interstate 70). He retired from Walsh Construction Company and as a proud member of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 103 after nearly 42 years of membership. After retirement from Walsh Construction Company, he started a small excavating company (Cheesman Excavating LLC) with his father, (Fred) and his sons, Nick and Rocky. Doug’s skills as crane operator were such that he was asked to provide training to aspiring crane operators at the IUOE LOCAL 103 training site in Daleville, Indiana, where he also taught pile driving classes. 

He is survived by his brothers, Russell (Connie) Cheesman of New Castle and Fred Louis II (Susan) Cheesman of Williamsburg, VA; 4 children: Amber W., Rocky (Kelli), Nick, and Brant; 6 grandchildren: Keegan, Camaron, Mya, Bryston, Gage, and Harley Rose: 4 great grandchildren; his long-time partner Lynn Addison and her beloved great grandson John Smith; and several nieces, nephews and extended family.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2024 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Pastor Donnie Silvers officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Summit Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home. You may express condolences or share a memory of Doug at www.hinsey-brown.com.