Cheryl Buckley

Cheryl Joan Buckley

July 16, 1945 – November 28, 2022

Peacefully and surrounded by her family, Cheryl Joan Buckley passed to eternal life on November 28, 2022, at her home in Newton, KS at the age of 77 years following a battle with brain cancer.

Cheryl’s life is represented by the motto: “To Jesus Through Mary”, it is what made her so successful and defined her whole life journey. Those who knew Cheryl understood that she was the most caring, giving, spiritual person. She was an inspiration for so many, providing comfort and guidance and is forever in our hearts. Cheryl will be lovingly remembered and missed by her children: Troy Robinson (Melissa), Christin Olson (David Aymond), Sheri Albright, Dawn Medina (Edward), Jene’ Kingsolver-Farmer (Troy) and Jon Robinson (Heather).  Grandchildren: Trenton Robinson (Chesley), Terrence Robinson (Eva), Dustin Olson (Emily), Ray Olson (Shayla), Ashlea Hixson (George), Thomas Albright (Alex), Brooke Albright, Chantel Rindt (Lucas), Sydney Lagergren, Zackary Kingsolver (Taylor), Konnor Kingsolver, Jazlyn Kingsolver, Logan Kingsolver, Mackayla Kingsolver, Wyatt Farmer, Payton Thibodeaux (Alex), Chloe’ Salas (Cedric), Davin Pifer, Kal-El Robinson and 18 great-grandchildren who all brought so much joy to “Mema”. She is survived by her four siblings: brothers Donald Miller, Kenneth Miller, Ronald Miller, her sister Connie Wilson and brother-in-law Jim Wilson, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 10 years, Larry E. Buckley and her parents Leonard A. and Dolores E. Miller.

Cheryl was born on July 16, 1945, in Hutchinson, Kansas; the third of five children to Leonard and Dolores (Habiger) Miller. Raised on the family farm, she attended Rockville School outside of Little River, Kansas through the eighth grade. She then attended St. Mary’s of the Plains High School in Dodge City, Kansas graduating in 1963, before attending Kansas State University to pursue art as her major.

Cheryl J. Miller married her first husband and became Cheryl J. Robinson on April 23, 1965, at St. Isadore Chapel KSU Newman Club, Manhattan, Kansas with Rev. Carl Kramer officiating.

While raising her children, Cheryl worked as a Rehabilitation Aide and Activity Director at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home in Little River, Kansas, before realizing her dream of owning and operating her own café, Cheryl’s Café in downtown Little River. Partnering with her father Leonard Miller and brother Ronald Miller from April 1, 1986, to August 2008; she provided homemade meals over the course of the next twenty-two years, seven days a week. Individuals would come from all around to experience her signature homemade food, fried chicken buffet on Sunday, delicious pies, and baked goods. Cheryl had many gifted talents and was passionate about sharing her continued love of art through cake decorating for her family and the community.

Cheryl always felt her love of community should be expressed in unselfish service and opened her doors for many worthy causes. Her café became the meeting place for Lions Club, and hosting a Community Coffee Club weekly, where she served free coffee to the community members gathered. Cheryl’s service heart did not stop there, when any one in the community was in need of help, the café doors were open regardless of the time of day. Farmers and First Responders were especially close to her heart- meals would be organized and packed for the individuals to be delivered or they could come into the café to take a rest and recharge. She also provided a much-needed warm haven and home cooked meals for the entire town during multiple ice storm power outages. She also became a historian of Little River, gathering items to display in the café so others could enjoy the rich history as well as history for the catholic church. Working tirelessly to remember and honor our hometown Veterans through her Memorial Day and Veterans Day displays assuring their stories were celebrated and remembered for their service to the community.

June 18, 1990, she married Larry E. Buckley at Kinsley, Kansas with her cousin Richard Miller officiating. They resided in Little River, Kansas.

During her many years in Little River, Cheryl was faithful member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.  Always active in the Altar Society, PSR, First Communion Classes and decorating for the church.

Cheryl moved to Newton, KS in the summer of 2013 and quickly immersed herself into the community and continued her life dedicated to service. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Newton and volunteered in multiple capacities including ministries to persons with disability, Altar Society, Adoration at the Adoration Chapel, Tri-Parish Retreat, Eucharist Minister (Hospital/Home Bound), Greeter/Offertory Gifts, Usher and decorating the church. She also worked with the ladies of the Prayer Blanket Group crafting blankets which were given to those ill or in need of prayers. She wanted to ensure the Christmas and Easter flower memorials were represented beautifully for the loved one and took extra care of them in her home until time to decorate the church. She will be deeply missed by her friends from Our Lady and Devine Mercy prayer groups whom she hosted monthly; they provided her much strength and support, including her dearest friend, Bill Fangman.

Cheryl loved to work, stay busy and interact with her neighborhood. After moving to Newton, many ways she did this was at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Newton, KS preparing and serving meals to the school children from 2014 to 2022. In addition, Cheryl also assisted in the office and learned many new skills she never thought possible. On Halloween, she was referred to as the “Cocoa Lady,” serving up hot chocolate, hot cider, coffee, fruit, and candy to community children.

Cheryl did not retire from working until the day she was diagnosed with her cancer in April 2022. She will forever be a servant. Her faith and attitude were an inspiration to all the lives she touched. Cheryl loved Mary and God; she unselfishly gave in service to the community and Catholic faith through her volunteer work.

Cheryl’s hobbies and creativity also included her children. During the years she owned Cheryl’s Little River Café, all her children worked there with her at one point or another, Jene’ worked with her the entire time. Cheryl always supported Troy and his sons military service as Marines. When Christin had a design business, Cheryl worked with her laying tile, painting, decorating. When children and grandchildren acted and danced in community theatres, Cheryl volunteered her time and talents making costumes. Since moving to Newton, Joan of Arc Creations (JOA) was a crafting hobby she shared with Sheri. Cheryl’s signature ‘Burden Bear’ was made with love and care. Hand crafted rosaries were uniquely designed and created by her hands. During the pandemic, her focus switched to making masks which she in turn donated thousands to the community. Cheryl never minded hard work; and loved to come to construction sites or the shop, and lend a hand to Dawn and Ed, her daughter and son-in-law. Jon, founder of Smallville Comicon in Hutchinson, Kansas is a fun yearly event shared by Cheryl and family. She was the ‘Convention Mom’ taking care of everyone making them feel at home and like family ensuring everything ran smoothly with her enduring hospitality.

The accomplishment that Cheryl may have been most proud of is her large and ever-growing family.  She always tried to keep track of the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren she had so she could share with everyone how proud this made her!

Visitation will be held from 5–9 p.m. Monday December 5, 2022.  Rosary will be at 6:00 p.m. Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Tuesday December 6, 2022, with Father Jorge Lopez officiating, both will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 421 S. Ash St, Newton KS.  Immediately following mass, a meal will be served at St. Mary’s Catholic School gym 101 E 9^th, Newton, Kansas. Burial service will be December 9, 2022, at 11 a.m. Little River Bean Cemetery and all are welcome to attend all services to celebrate her life.

Memorial donation may be made in Cheryl Buckley’s name to the non-profit cancer support organization, Victory in the Valley (Designate Harvey County Chapter) 3755 E. Douglas, Wichita KS 67218