Cheryl Altadonna passed away peacefully on January 22, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family and dearest friends. She was 79 years old and a lifelong resident of Centralia.
Cheryl was born in Centralia on September 23, 1945, the daughter of Ralph and Vera (Gerstkemper) Johnson. She married Frank Altadonna on February 15, 1969, who survives her.
In addition to her husband of 55 years, Cheryl is survived by her two children; Cary Altadonna ( Julia) and Kelly Schwartz ( Jeff) of Walnut Hill. Granddaughters Raigen Linton ( Jaren) of Cottage Hills, Kenadi Schwartz of Walnut Hill, Andrea Scanlan of Percy, Nikki Groff of Camden, SC, and four great-grandchildren, Promise, Culper, Huxley, and Hunter.
Cheryl is also survived by three sisters, Joyce Engelmann ( Bill) of Centralia, Karen Schrader Darwin) of Lebanon, and Kathy Harvey ( Gary) of Mt. Vernon, brothers-in-law Jerry ( Tami) of Springfield, IL, John( Janet) of Texas, and sister-in-law Brenda of Centralia. She was so fortunate to have Aunt Doris Weihe of Hoffman, and one uncle, Charlie Mordini ( Daphene) of Mascoutah. She has many beloved nieces, great-nieces, nephews, and great-nephews.
Cheryl and her family were very fortunate to have friends that became family including her Vaccaro family, Teresa Olsen ( Peter) of Fla, Jo Brewer ( Steve) of Ga, Mary Jane Cain ( Tracy) of Patoka, Rita Thorne ( Woody) of Makanda, and Annette Shores (Steve) of Centralia, two very best friends, Cass Tucker and daughter Kelley Winegarner, Jeanne Anne Horner, and one bonus daughter Kristen Nollman of Centralia.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents , one brother-in-law, Phil Altadonna of Centralia, Fay and Charlie Vaccaro, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Cheryl never knew a stranger and loved to “ chit chat”, as she called it, on the phone. She enjoyed dancing, spending time with her granddaughters, and having lunches with her sisters, Doris, and her best friends. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia.
Cheryl worked for Illinois Bell, AT&T, Besant Electric, Economy, Symons Corporation. She eventually retired from St. Mary’s Hospital emergency room where she was known as “The Princess”.
Services celebrating Cheryl’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, January 28th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Trinity Lutheran School, SMS Hospice, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Contributions may be sent to Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, located at 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Cheryl’s family. Friends and family are welcome to express condolences online by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook page.
