Sherry (Nelson) Easley, age 55, of Iuka, IL, passed away unexpectedly on March 12, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering support for those she held dear. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt, and friend, she embraced each role with boundless love and selflessness, always putting others before herself.
Born on September 23, 1969, in Centralia to Robert and Loretta (Dixon) Nelson, Sherry attended Raccoon Grade School and later graduated from Centralia High School in 1989. On October 30, 1988, she married her high school sweetheart, Jon K. Easley and he survives her. Their love was the kind that people search for—a rare and beautiful bond built on deep devotion, laughter, and unwavering support. Through every chapter of life, they stood side by side, facing challenges together and celebrating joys as one. Jon was not just her husband but her best friend, her rock, and the love of her life. Theirs was a love story that will continue to inspire, even in her absence
Sherry had a heart that welcomed everyone. She didn’t know a stranger. She never judged, never turned anyone away, and always made people feel seen, heard, and loved. To know her was to love her, and she left an unforgettable mark on everyone she met.
She worked at Rockwell/Meridian before its closure and was most recently employed at NAL, where she was known for her strong work ethic, kindness, and the friendships she built with coworkers.
Sherry had a passion for reading and could often be found lost in a good book. She also had a love for the outdoors and was a dedicated member of the SARS K9 search and rescue group, where she played a vital role in helping others in times of need. She found joy in tending to her garden, nurturing plants with the same care and love she gave to those around her. In her free time, she enjoyed perfecting the art of smoking meats, sharing her delicious creations with family and friends. But above all, her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, children, and grandchildren, who were the center of her world. To them, she wasn’t just Grandma—she was their beloved “Granny,” a title she chose with love and wore with pride.
Other survivors include her children, a son, Jaie Easley; a daughter Ali and fiancé Adam Anderson; grandchildren, Berrick Sweet and Edith Anderson; her mother, Loretta; her Granny, Loretta Cox; mother-in-law, Margaret and husband Harry Joe Warren; father-in-law, Jack Easley and wife Shirley; siblings, Robert Nelson II, Connie Murphy, Martha Currie, and Dreatha Jackson; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews who will continue to carry her love forward.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert L. Nelson; her brother, Keith Nelson; her nephew, Malachi Kyles; and her grandparents, David Dixon, Chester, and Flossi Nelson.
Though she is no longer physically with us, her kindness, strength, and devotion to others will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.
A visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home Chapel from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. A private burial will take place following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SARS K-9 Co-op and will be accepted at Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home, PO Box 97 / 310 N. Broadway, Salem, Illinois 62881, (618) 548-1234. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or by visiting Sutherland Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
