Cheryl Sue Nantkes, 71, of Raymond, died at Regency Care of Springfield at 4:15 a.m. on Monday, March 25, 2024.
Funeral services for Ms. Nantkes will be held Saturday, April 6, at 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvel. The Rev. Joseph Nehring will be officiating. Visitation for Ms. Nantkes will be held Saturday morning from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in the Harvel Cemetery.
Ms. Nantkes was born on April 29, 1952 in Litchfield, a daughter of Lamar Dale and Gertrude Helen (Jaeger) Nantkes. She was a graduate of Raymond Lincolnwood High School with the class of 1970. She later studied at Lincoln Land Community College for two years.
For 34 years, Ms. Nantkes worked for the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as an administrative assistant, from 1970 until retiring in 2004. She loved her career and the people she worked alongside. She also dedicated time at Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvel, carrying out secretarial duties.
Ms. Nantkes was always there to help those in her family, friends, community, church and surrounding areas. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and a reliable ride for doctor’s appointments and to the airports in Springfield and St. Louis. She would show up to help with cleaning up after a remodel, moving or a yard needing mowed or cleaned up.
She enjoyed taking care of her home, being outside to tend to her yard, going shopping and eating out with friends. She was always making food or brownies to take to someone’s home and to the local watering hole if she felt someone needed a pick-me-up.
Ms. Nantkes’ genuine love for animals also shown brightly. She loved to pet sit for family and friends, along with the love for her own dogs that she considered family, Max and Tanner. Animals loved her as well, as they couldn’t contain their excitement when she was around and heard her laugh. Her mother would always say: “She was the life of the party!” As a special sister and aunt, her laugh, her humor, and her overall fun-loving personality will be deeply missed by everyone.
Ms. Nantkes is survived by two brothers, Danny (Marty) Nantkes of Lake of the Ozarks, MO and Greg (Sheri) Nantkes of Navarre, FL; three sisters, Carol (Mike) Hampton of Waggoner, JoEllen (Greg – deceased) Lyons of Glenarm and Susan (Jim) Aherin, of Farmersville; nieces, Tania (Jason) Maschhoff, Jessica (Mark) Moxley, Savannah (Mat) Boston and nephews, Chad (Jackie) Nantkes, Justen (Heather) Hampton, Seth (Tara) Hampton, John (Katie) Lyons, Kyle Aherin and Kyle Nantkes; several great-nieces and nephews,; a stepbrother, Tracy Brockmeyer of Bloomington; two stepsisters, Cheryl Fischer of Winthrop Harbor,; Tammy Welcome of Oakland, CA; stepsister-in-law, Ginny Brockmeyer; stepnieces and nephews; and stepgreat-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Olyn A. Brockmeyer; sister, Judy Henry; and brother-in-law, Mike Henry.
The family suggests memorials be made to Montgomery County Paws Care or Trinity Lutheran Church.
To sign the online guestbook, light a virtual candle, or for directions to services, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com
