Von is survived by his wife Margaret Burnett Cheek and his children: David and Melodie Cheek of Mouth of Wilson, VA; Gregory and Rhonda Cheek of Stevens City, VA; Roxanne and Tommy Anders of Independence, VA; Christine and Jeff Phipps of Independence, VA; and Jon Cheek of Roanoke, VA. He is survived by his brother Don and Pat Cheek of Galax, VA, and his sister Pasty Bobbitt of Mount Airy, NC.

He has six grandchildren: Adanna Cheek of Marion, VA; Gregory "Jad" and Chrissie Cheek and great granddaughter Taryn Cheek of Urbanna, VA; Annie and Austin Chamness of Manassas, VA; Austin and Jordan Anders and their son Tatum Anders of Hillsville, VA; Cy and Madison Anders of Ft. Cavazos, TX; Olivia Phipps of Camp Lejeune, NC. Rufus Von Cheek was born to parents Rufus M. and Ina Mays Cheek, on February 22, 1937, in Fries, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents Rufus M. and Ina Cheek; his first wife Ann L. Edwards Cheek; and brother Larry D. Cheek.

Von graduated from Galax High School in 1957. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy. He attended Morse Code School in Imperial Beach, CA. Upon completion of Morse Code School, he then attended Russian language school where he received the rating of Cryptologic Technician and the rank of Seaman (Rank CTSN). During his military career, Von was stationed at:
Naval Communication Station in Adak, AK (1958 - 1959} (Rank CT3)
Naval Security Group Activity in Kamiseya, Japan (1959 - 1961} (Rank CT2)
Army Language School (Russian) Monterey, CA (1961- 1962) (Rank CT2)
Naval Security Group Activity, Ft. Meade, MD (1962 - 1963} (Rank CTl)
Naval Security Group Activity, Bremerhaven, Germany (1966 - 1968) (Rank CTC}
Naval Security Group Activity Ft. Meade, MD (1968 -1971} (Rank CTC}
Naval Enlisted Submarine School, in Groton, CT (1968)
6985 Security Squadron Eielson Air Force Base, AK (1971- 1973)
Naval Security Group Activity, Ft. Meade, MD (1973 -1976) (Rank CTC}

While stationed at Ft. Meade, MD, Von was deployed on various submarines and with various aircraft squadrons. With additional deployments on the air carriers the USS Independence and the USS America; the destroyer USS Sarsfield; the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS California; and the fleet tug USS Atakapa.

Over a 19-year career; 1957 to 1976, with the United States Navy, as a Chief Cryptologic Technician, Von served aboard twelve surface ships and submarines and was attached to two aircraft squadrons. He was stationed and deployed to multiple countries throughout the world.
Upon retirement from the Navy, he returned to his hometown of Galax, VA with his family. He enjoyed spending time with family, was an avid golfer, and retired after over twenty years with Nautilus Fitness in Independence VA.

Memorial Services will be held at the Blue Ridge Veterans Memorial, located at the Galax City Public Library on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 2:00PM. Following the Memorial Services there will be a Celebration of Life at the home of Von and Margaret Cheek. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Blue Ridge Veterans Memorial, Galax, VA, or the American Red Cross.