Aveniel Cherry Obituary

CARBONDALE - On March 25, 2026, Aveniel went to spend eternity with Jesus. She was born Aug. 6, 1933, in Metropolis, Illinois, to Roy and Mabel Arensman.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John T. Cherry; whom she married in 1953 and celebrated 71 years together, before his passing in Oct. 2024. Aveniel was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who shared her faith in Jesus with her family and friends with humility and grace.

Aveniel lived in Metropolis until she graduated from Metropolis Community High School in 1951 (except for her fifth and sixth grade years during WWII when her family moved out West for her father to work in a war plant).

She started her college education at SIUC in 1951 in elementary education and began dating John. When he graduated, they got married and he entered the Air Force; they moved to Denver then to California where their daughter, Diane, was born. After the completion of his military service, they returned to Carbondale where their son, Doug, was born and she finished her bachelor's and master's degrees.

In 1962, she began her teaching career at Lakeland School. After teaching there for seven years, she worked 24 years as a faculty instructor and academic adviser in the College of Education at SIU.

She was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Lambda and PEO. She was a longtime faithful member of the First United Methodist Church for over 60 years. She held various positions, including Lay Leader and Delegate to Annual Conference, and she served as a member of the Handbells Choir, United Methodist Women, and Stephen Ministry. She was instrumental in starting the March to the Manager Christmas program at the church which she coordinated for many years.

She also was active in the Victory Dream Center and served regularly in their food pantry. She and John participated in many Fellowship of Christian Athletes programs and fundraising events. As a team, they worked to serve the community in many ways with Aveniel humbly working in the background.

She loved playing the piano at church and at home, keeping the freezer full of chocolate chip cookies and DQ sandwiches, sewing clothes, playing tennis, and working in the yard. Most importantly, she lived out the great commandment of loving the Lord with all of her heart, her soul, and her might and loving her neighbor as herself.

Aveniel had a wonderful life of 92 years and is survived by her daughter, Diane and husband Bob Davis; and son, Doug and wife Lisa Cherry, both of Carbondale; 12 grandchildren, Brian (Carrie) Davis and Michelle (Cory) Mohr, Nathan (Tara) Cherry, Kalyn (Adam) Waller, Lucas (Rachel) Cherry, Rebecah (Loren) Conbeer, Hannah (Seth) Erickson, Micah (Danae) Cherry, Matthew (Olivia) Cherry, and Ethan (Eva) Cherry, Lydia Cherry, and Josiah Cherry. She was blessed with 29 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, March 30, in Victory Dream Center, 607 E. College St. in Carbondale, with a Celebration of Life Service following at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery in Carbondale.

Memorials may be made to the Victory Dream Center or the First United Methodist Church.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. To leave a story or Memory of Aveniel, visit www.meredithfh.com.