Cheryle McNeese Dies, Remembered as Caring Friend

Local businesswoman Cheryle McNeese is being remembered by the community Monday after she reportedly passed away unexpectedly Saturday night in Tomahawk, WI.

McNeese was in Tomahawk as part of an annual motorcycle ride.

Scari Wright and Monica Mikus Griep both played softball with her.

"Oh, that's sad! Played softball against her for years!" Griep wrote on the Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Facebook page.

Connie DelToro posted simply, "Prayers. She will be missed."

McNeese owned McNeese Leather, 1122 Airline Road, setting up shop there after the property at 2121 Ole Davidson Road burned down a couple of years ago.

McNeese also often participated in community events like the Sturtevant fireworks selling novelties and help organizations like assisting the Racine Police Department K9's with repairs to equipment for their dogs.

"We at Racine Police K-9 Unit are sad to hear of the news. Cheryl repaired our bite suit and muzzles when they broke on many occasions. She made these repairs out of the goodness of her heart. Always a pleasant woman to talk to. Always talked of her love of dogs. Our prayers go out to her family," they wrote on the Racine K9 Facebook page. 

Patch remembers meeting her at the 2012 Sturtevant fireworks because her booth was set up next to the Patch tent. It was hot and windy that day and when the Patch tent caught a gust and went end-over-end, McNeese could not have been nicer. She asked over and over if we were okay and directed her sons to help us set up the tent again. 

Christopher Zielinski said, "She was a awesome woman she cared for everyone she met. She was a wonderful kind hearted woman who would always welcome you into her shop."

Lisa Lynn Kirchmeier remembers McNeese as a fellow horse lover who knew how to make her customers feel right at home.

"She was a sweet kind person who will be missed dearly," she wrote. "Cheryl was always kind and sweet and always willing to help you with whatever you needed especially when it came to leather. I will miss our talks about our horses. Ride your horses and your bike in heaven."

What are your memories of Cheryl McNeese? Please share them in the comments below.