Cheryl Lee Wilson, nee Holt, 78, of Belleville, IL, born Thursday, December 2, 1943, in East Saint Louis, IL, passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at St. Louis University Hospital in Saint Louis, MO.
Cheryl was the light of our lives. She was funny, silly and if you were her friend, you had a friend for life. She never forgot your birthday, anniversary or a special event. She was a mother or grandmother to every child she met. Cheryl loved her family but especially her fur baby Libby. Libby comforted Cheryl like no one else could.
Cheryl followed her husband during and after his US Air Force career to Texas, Louisiana, and Colorado and organized a new home everywhere she lived. She was an artist and painted beautiful pictures. She was an avid gardener who could grow anything. Cheryl started her working life as a clerk for the New York Central RR. She then became a graphics artist at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL and then became the membership director for the Shrine’s retirement community. During her stay in Texas she earned an LPN. She then worked in doctor’s offices in Texas, Louisiana, and Belleville. During her stay in Colorado she was an active Red Hat Lady.
In her life Cheryl was able to visit England for the Chelsea Flower Show, see Stonehenge and ride the big London Ferris Wheel. That was a highlight of her life. She also got to spend a month in Korea with her husband and visit Hawaii. Not a bad life for an East St Louis girl from St Theresa Academy.
We will celebrate the time we had with Cheryl and we know she is in a better place now, where pain is not an issue. Much love to our Cheryl, you will be missed.
She was preceded in death by her:
- Parents: Leonard W. and Cherie, nee Toussaint, Holt
- Brother: Michael Holt
Surviving are her:
- Husband: Major David Wilson, USAF Ret of Belleville, IL
- Children
- Robert “Bobby”(Judy) Hutchinson of New Athens, IL
- Edith “Edie” (Michael) Brady of Belleville, IL
- William (Julie) Wilson of California City, CA
- Sister: Kathy (Richard) AuBuchon of Port Orange, FL
- Grandchildren
- Jenny Thompson (Jason) Smith
- Samantha “Sam” Hutchinson
- Melissa Snow
- Austin (Taylor) Wilson
- 5 great grandchildren
- Cassidy, River and Tanner Smith
- Olivia Brady
- Ayden Eftink
- 3 nieces
- Kathleen Spencer AuBuchon (Vicky Wilkey)
- Karrie AuBuchon (Mike Kury)
- Rhonda Teggin (Michael)
- Much loved by many great nieces and nephews.
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snow.
Services: Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 – 5:00 pm, Saturday, July 30, 2022 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL. with a religious service at 2:00pm.
18 Comments To "Cheryl Lee Wilson"
#1 Comment By Kathy AuBuchon On June 22, 2022 @ 3:06 pm
I love you “Big sister!” I’m going to miss you sooo much.
Baby sister Kathy
#2 Comment By John Sweeney On June 22, 2022 @ 7:08 pm
Dave & Family: So sorry for your loss. Prayers are with you all.
#3 Comment By Rhonda On June 22, 2022 @ 7:48 pm
Every memory I have of Auntie Cheryl has a mixture of laughter, yard frogs, outdoor plants, indoor Ivy, the color green, a little mischief, and more laughter! I’m pretty sure she’s the only aunt that would shellac a potato chip then save it for ten years and give it to me on my 18th birthday. Why ? Because when I was 10 years old I couldn’t believe my luck that I got the biggest potato chip ever! That’s going above and beyond just being cool. You will be missed auntie Cheryl ❤️ 🍀🍄🌱🪴💐🐸
#4 Comment By Lucie Gorman On June 22, 2022 @ 9:06 pm
One of my very best friends for more than 50 years! I loved her like a sister and was loved by her! Yes we did some pretty crazy things at times and always had a blast doing it! So many positive memories and could write a book that would be enjoyed by gal’s like us!
I know I will miss picking up the phone and calling her just to touch base!
She is singing with the angels now and has experienced so much pain over the years, that my sorrow is lessened knowing she finally is whole again and is at peace!
We will meet again and heaven will not be the same!
Much love and prayer for her family!
#5 Comment By Ken & Darlene Phelps On June 22, 2022 @ 9:07 pm
Really sorry for your loss Dave. Your family will be in our prayers.
#6 Comment By Roger Edson On June 22, 2022 @ 10:28 pm
David, very sorry to hear about your wife. Hope you are doing well. Roger
#7 Comment By Dee Dee Murray On June 23, 2022 @ 10:17 am
My love and sympathy to you Mel and your mom. It sounds like she filled your lives with much love and fun! Celebrate this special love of your lives.
#8 Comment By Kenneth Kohlberg On June 23, 2022 @ 1:13 pm
My deepest sympathy to Dave, Kathy, and the rest of your family. Cheryl always remembered my birthday. She was a very loving person. She will be deeply missed by everyone that knew her.
#9 Comment By Karrie AuBuchon On June 23, 2022 @ 2:35 pm
My Auntie Cheryl was the best. She was one of a kind. It was impossible to not laugh when with Cheryl. Visiting her was my first (away from home) adventure to Texas. She would hose me down in the triple digit heat while watering her plants. She got my ears pierced and bought me my first pair of high heels. Cheryl never missed my birthday or anniversary or anything special. I’ll miss her visits to Florida sitting around the kitchen table laughing at her straight talk. If I had to say one line that stays in my mind was Cheryl telling me “ let it all hang out kid” !
Love and miss you Auntie Cheryl
#10 Comment By Christopher Leslie (moose) On June 24, 2022 @ 7:12 am
you meet many types of people n life’s journey and i feel blessed to have met Cheryl. She was one of best person you would have been lucky to know. Loving, caring and one of the sweetest persons i knew. She will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing her.
#11 Comment By Leslie Small On June 24, 2022 @ 7:54 am
Kathy, Kathleen, and Families,
Love and hugs on the loss of your sweet sister and aunt. I will always remember her jovial, fun-loving nature from the kids’ birthday parties.
#12 Comment By Priti Bhakta On June 24, 2022 @ 8:40 am
My deepest condolences to Cheryl’s family!! Prayers for everyone to stay strong in this difficult times. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
#13 Comment By Elise Spencer On June 24, 2022 @ 2:34 pm
I will always remember going to my Auntie Cheryl’s house and helping her prepare our leftovers to put outside to feed the raccoons. We would sit on her living room couch and watch out the glass door and see the sweet little raccoons come and eat our leftovers. Not many people, let alone adults would go above and beyond just to feed some critters. But my auntie Cheryl sure did. You will be missed dearly. Love, Ellie.
#14 Comment By Mike Kurey On June 24, 2022 @ 8:31 pm
Cheryl filled any room that she entered with love, laughter and joy. Always kind and giving, she seemed to only want that those around her be happy. Cheryl will be missed greatly, but not forgotten. Stories of her light hearted nature will be shared over and over by the family that loved her.
#15 Comment By Edith Brady On June 27, 2022 @ 10:15 am
Momma! I sure do miss you……
#16 Comment By Tracie Chapman On June 28, 2022 @ 8:13 am
Cheryl “the bomb” was one in a million. A dear friend, favorite adopted grandmother, and always a hoot when she called it like she saw it! What a gift she has been in my life. She will be missed so very much!
#17 Comment By Kathy (Hellyer) Feher On July 4, 2022 @ 9:53 am
My connection with Cheryl goes back to grade school at St. Philip Grade School. A small group of us have been getting together for lunches for a number of years and having Cheryl there was always a joy. Despite all the health issues she had to deal with, she was one of the first to crack a joke and make everyone feel good. I remember her calling me “kid”, and sending emails to offer encouragement or check on me even when she had so much to deal with herself. She was very caring and kind.
My condolences to David and the entire family. She will be missed!
#18 Comment By Laura Verhoeks Norby On July 24, 2022 @ 2:00 pm
Deepest sympathies, cousin. You and your family have been in my prayers. Praying for your comfort and your courage in the days ahead. So sorry I am unable to join you at the service, but I will be thinking of you.