Cheryl Ann Kazaitis

Cheryl Ann Kazaitis, 80, of Mokena, Illinois passed away on January 5, 2025, in Appomattox, Virginia. She was the daughter of Bernard and Virginia Reid, and the wife of John for 61 years.

Cheryl was born on June 6, 1944, in Kankakee, Illinois. She is survived by her children Kelly Gaba, Kris Vitiello (Dan), Kimberly Parmele (Rich); grandchildren Ryan (Kerry), Daniel (Nora), DJ (Ashley) and Kaitlyn; great-grandchildren Jane and JT; and a loving circle of extended family and friends. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother Jim (Joyce). 

Her long life was characterized by many things, but she will be most fondly remembered for her constant care and nurturing of her loved ones. She always had our best interests at heart, even if we couldn't appreciate it, and she kept us on the straight and narrow.

Indelible images from the decades at Scott Street include a house filled with angel tchotchkes, so many clocks, tight curfews and love. She also mastered many kinds of Lithuanian cooking and was a master kugel-ista who kept the family hale and hearty on 70s staples like manwich, meatloaf and meatballs. Her taste in music was eclectic, with acts from Journey to Willie Nelson and more earning her appreciation. 

She had her fun side, too. She liked a good gamble and earned her "Lucky 7s " car license plate on the boats in Tunica, the casinos in Iowa and at the slots in Vegas. Family trips to Vegas were punctuated with pancakes at the Golden Gate casino. And we haven’t even gotten to the creative Halloween costumes we wore down the years.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 2 P.M. at Tharp Funeral Home in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.