John Phillip Cherry "Phil", first son of John Francis Cherry and Helen Margery Matlock Cherry, died Monday, October 2, 2017 at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, IL. He was born September 17, 1928 at Copley Hospital in Aurora, IL. He attended Grove Road School in Na Au Say Township for 8 years until graduating to the Red Brick High School in Oswego, IL, after which he attended the University of Illinois for one year. Phil joined the Army, January 1951 and served in Germany during the Cold War. He was invited to join a German Moto Cross Club, and with leave time, he and his BMW motorcycle engaged in the races, earning several medals. Phil was honorably discharged in January 1954. Phil married Holly Rose Alexander of Aurora, IL on December 1, 1956 and they began their life together on the Walker Farm on Plainfield Rd. They moved to a farm south of DeKalb for a time, then to Sycamore for two years and then to the family farm south of Oswego to stay. They and their children enjoyed living and working together on Cherry Knoll Farm which was established in 1854 on Grove Road. Phil was active in the Kendall County Community and was elected the first president of the Kendall County Pork Producers, a member of the Kendall County Farm Bureau board and the Soil and Water Conservation District board. He was also a member of the Grove Road Farmers Club for many years and at times served as President. Also a member of the Oswego Presbyterian Church in Oswego, IL He is survived by his wife Holly, a daughter Laura (Dave) Burk of Oswego, IL, two sons John David (Alan Helfer) Cherry of Oswego and Glen Phillip Cherry of Woodridge, IL, four grandchildren Megan (Craig) Grupp of St. Charles, IL, Jillian Cherry of Dekalb, IL, Amanda Burk of Quartz Hill, CA, Becca Burk of Oswego, IL, his sister Diane (Glenn) Osborne of Lincoln, IL, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Nancy Rink and a brother Donald F. Cherry. Visitation will be on Monday, October 9, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at DUNN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME WITH CREMATORY, 1801 S. Douglas Rd., Oswego, IL. Cremation will follow. Cremains will be inurned at Lincoln Memorial Park, Aurora, IL. Memorials may be directed to the 4-H Foundation Kendall County, 7775-B Illinois Rt. 47, Yorkville, IL 60560. For information 630/554-3888 or www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com