Cheryl Newing

October 4, 1967–December 13, 2024

Cheryl Ann Newing, 57, a resident of West Chicago, Illinois, went home to be with the Savior she loved with her whole heart on December 13, 2024. The middle child of three, Cheryl was born to James "Jim" and Virginia Juanita "Nita" Newing on October 4, 1967, in Lima, Peru, SA where her parents then served as missionaries with TEAM.

Born with Down syndrome, Cheryl grew up mostly with her family in Wheaton, Illinois, but also lived at and attended Shepherd's Home and School in Union Grove, Wisconsin, where she thrived in a learning culture that celebrated how uniquely God had made her. In both environments, she learned of Jesus' love for her, and she grew passionate about her faith and was not shy about sharing it. At age 21, she moved back home permanently to live with her parents in Wheaton and then in Winfield, Illinois. Cheryl worked for 15 years in the warehouse at Tyndale House Publishers, then as a Jewel bagger, a meal-prepper at Entrée Kitchen, and as a volunteer at two resale shops associated with STARS Family Services (SFS) and the STARS disability ministry of College Church in Wheaton. Both Wheaton Bible Church (where her family attends) and College Church were "her" churches; the front row her preferred spot whenever possible.

Cats gave Cheryl endless delight, especially her beloved Frisky, as did attending Christian concerts and listening to anything on WMBI radio. She loved the Gaither Vocal Band, especially musical artist and personality Mark Lowry, who she insisted was her "boyfriend." Fishing and swimming, making hook rugs and puzzles, and writing out Scripture verses kept her happily busy, and wearing stacks of bracelets up and down her arms and Texas-theme gear defined her. Though she had numerous painful orthopedic surgeries over the years, Cheryl adored hospitals, doctors, and emergency services personnel. On two occasions she even called 911 after realizing she could get these favored people to come directly to her, and she wept when her orthopedic surgeon announced his retirement!

For decades, Cheryl was regularly active in the STARS ministry at College Church, which included music classes and special events, art workshops and Sunday school, and a trip to promote disability ministries in France. The commitment and love of the STARS ministry's many volunteers and staff made her life immeasurably rich and diverse.

In 2015 Cheryl became one of the first female residents of the group homes in Wheaton run by SFS, and she was cherished, challenged, and celebrated until health changes necessitated moving in with her older sister in 2022. Throughout her time in the STARS home and living with her sister, Cheryl was a regular visitor at the retirement community of Windsor Park, where her loving mom continued to be a regular part of Cheryl's world as driver, medical manager, and "activities coordinator" —even more so after the death of Cheryl's father in 2018.

After being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Cheryl moved in with her sister, Carole, and her family in West Chicago where she spent the last three years of her life learning a new family rhythm and entertaining everyone with her snappy comebacks and unexpected humor. But 2024 saw Cheryl's meteoric descent into the angst-ridden world of Alzheimer's disease, and a catastrophic seizure in early December became God's answer to the many prayers for God's mercy in Cheryl's life and the ultimate reply to the question repeated in her favorite verse from the Psalms:

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).

"Disease, disability, and death: You are not to be feared. You do not have the final say! Cheryl is perfectly whole now."

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Cheryl is survived by her mother, Nita Newing; her siblings: Carole (Jeff) Johnson of West Chicago and Jeff Newing of Fox River Grove; and her niece and nephew: Maddie Johnson of Aubrey, Texas, and Mason Johnson of West Chicago.

Cheryl is preceded in death by her father, Jim Newing.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Stars Family Services https://www.starsfamilyservices.org/

A celebration of Cheryl's life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at College Church (332 E. Seminary Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois)
Visiting will start at 1:00pm and the memorial celebration will start promptly at 2:00pm, with a light reception to follow.

A livestream of the service may be found here: https://youtube.com/live/hQMGAOCcWUE