Cheryl Williams Obituary

Cheryl Hatfield Williams, 72, was called by her Lord and Savior on Nov. 4, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Cheryl was born on Aug. 8, 1951, in Chicago, to Charles and Lois Hatfield. As the only girl and oldest of three younger brothers, Cheryl often called herself the favorite. She was the Mother Superior as she constantly kept her brothers in line.

Growing up in Calumet City, Cheryl was not a Cubs fan but instead a Sox fan. She graduated from Bishop Noll Catholic High School as Class of 1969. She went on to attend Northern Illinois University, Class of 1973, where she majored in English.

During her senior year studying in Dekalb, Cheryl met the love of her life Earl "Al" Williams. A year later, they were married on Aug. 18, 1973, at Our Lady of Knock Catholic Church in Calumet City, Ill. During August of 2023, they were blessed to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

She held various jobs, working as a correspondent for The Herald-Palladium, and a substitute teacher but her most important role was being a stay-at-home mom to her three girls. She instilled in them a strong Catholic faith as the most present, faithful and loving mother in the world. The home was always full of love, laughter, music, and a ton of art and craft supplies. She enjoyed doing everything with her girls from traveling to having tea after school, doing crafts, and going to musicals.

Cheryl was the most fun, social and fashionable girl in town. Knowing almost everyone in Stevensville, St. Joseph and beyond, she never hesitated to make friends with strangers. Having long conversations with waitresses, cashiers, and everyone else, she truly believed that everyone mattered. She was the best friend and everyone's best friend.

Her crowning achievement was her role as "Nama" (Grandma) to nine grandchildren. Always keeping their favorite pop and snacks in the house, she made sure to make special time for each and every one of them with sleepovers and bubble baths. She was a wonderful ally to her grandchildren who they would often call to tattle on the injustices committed by their parents and she was often known to take the side of the grandchildren. She was the coolest and most hip grandma ever.

Cheryl is survived by her loving husband, Earl; her daughters: Kristine Williams Hall, Aimee (Paul) Foster, and Michelle (Jason) Krcmery; grandchildren: Tess, Katie, Molly, and Emma Foster, Colin, Drew, and Maddie Krcmery, Bobby Hall, Violette Sobralski; her great-grandchild, Walter Sobralski; brothers: Chris (Reta) and Curt (Nancy) Hatfield, and a large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Charles and Lois Hatfield, and her brother, Chuck Hatfield.

In honor of Cheryl, please make a donation to Birthright of St. Joseph or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or follow her motto "always err on the side of kindness."

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 220 Church St., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. A Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m.

Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 556-9450.