ELKHART — Cheryl Ann (Lavery) Raber passed away peacefully Monday in the loving arms of her husband, Dave. They had 37 wonderful years of marriage.

She is survived by husband, Dave; son, Beau; daughter, Olivia; grandson, LeVon; parents, Richard and Doris Lavery; sisters, Debbie (Bob) Armstead and Joni Lavery; brother, Bill (Michelle) Lavery; sister in-law, Kathryn (Jeff) Thomas; brother in-law, Mike (Jen) Raber; brother-in-law and sister in-law, Jean (Steve) Lynn; brother in-law Jon (Lene) Raber; and brother in-law, Dan (Marsha) Raber.

She was preceded in death by her in-laws, Paul J. and Sharol Ann Raber.

Cheryl was employed by Skyline Corporation and Miles Laboratories. She also worked for her father at Laro Corporation, finally purchasing the business in 2001. Most recently she worked for Forest River.

Cheryl married her high school sweetheart in 1974 on tee number three at Raber Golf Course. Cheryl’s greatest joy was her family, from the regular Sunday dinners with her children to playing marathon euchre tournaments with anyone who would sit down long enough. One of her greatest joys was her new grandson, LeVon Camden Parker. She delighted in every new word, every hug and kiss and every squeal of delight.

Cheryl’s second greatest passion was riding in their 1953 fire engine red convertible Cadillac, sitting next to her husband Dave. “Caddie cruising” was the appropriate term. She loved getting together with friends and meeting new people. If she and David went to a new place, Cheryl would make sure they knew half of the people there before leaving. She adored her friends and couldn’t wait to hug each and every one of them. It has been said that Cheryl taught people how to hug.

Cheryl’s grandmother, Lavery, taught her to love baseball, particularly the Chicago Cubs. From that grew a passion for the Chicago Bears. If the Cubs or the Bears were playing, you would find Cheryl in front of a television or at the game, always dressed in the appropriate team jersey, hat, gloves, shorts and jewelry. Her love of these two teams dictated the naming of their rottweilers, Butkus, Payton, Halas and Hampton.

Cheryl will be missed by her family, her friends and anyone who knew her.

Visitation will be casual from 2 to 4 and 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at

Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home at Cobblestone Crossing, Elkhart. Please show your love by wearing Chicago Cubs or Bears apparel.

A celebration of life service will be held the last weekend in July.

Memorials for Cheryl may be made to United Cancer Services of Elkhart County.

Visit www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com to share a message with the family.