Cheryl M. Mathias

Cheryl Marguriette Mathias, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and cherished community member, passed away on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the age of 78. Born on a cool Saturday in Escanaba, MI, Cheryl grew into a woman widely adored for her warmth, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to her family and faith.
Cheryl spent her life enriching others, not only as a loving mother and grandmother but also in her professional career as a Senior Instructor at the Northern Michigan School of Cosmetology in Escanaba. Her passion for cosmetology and commitment to her students left a lasting impact on many young professionals in the field.
She married the love of her life, Ronald S. Mathias, Sr., on April 16, 1966. They were married 36 years before his passing on May 7, 2002.
A devout Catholic, Cheryl was an active member of St. Gregory's Parish, where her generosity and faith led her to serve as a former foster parent for special needs children. Her life was marked by the values of compassion and selflessness, and she found purpose and joy in helping those around her.
Cheryl's interests were as vibrant and varied as the life she led. An avid bowler and bingo enthusiast, she also enjoyed watching her favorite teams, the Vikings and the Eagles. Her closest moments were spent around the card table with family, baking cookies with her grandchildren, or orchestrating family gatherings that celebrated the love and bonds she cherished.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her loving parents, William Carl Daniel and Dorothy Mae (Johnson) Steinhausen, Jr., and her beloved husband, Ronald Stanley Mathias.
Her memory lives on in the hearts of her surviving family: her sons, Ronald (Amy) Mathias, Maryville, MO and Paul Mathias of Phoenix, AZ; her daughters, Julie Brown from Green Bay, WI, and son Bill Mathias of St. Joseph, MO. She is also survived by her brothers, Steve Steinhausen of Ishpeming, MI, and Randy Steinhausen, Florida, and Mary Wadeen, New Berry, MI, and 5 grandchildren, William Mathias, Jr., Bradley Brown, Jacob Wallen, Alyssa Mathias, Anthony Wallen, 1 great grandson, Liam Mathias, and numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a parish and family Rosary at 6:00 PM, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, with the visitation to follow until 8:00 PM, at St. Gregory's Barbarigo Catholic Church, Maryville, MO.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM, on Friday, October 10, 2025, at St. Gregory's. Services are under the direction of the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville, MO.
Mrs. Mathias's body will then be taken to the Crawford Funeral Home in Escanaba, MI, where there will be a visitation from 10:00 AM until Noon, EDT, on Monday, October 13, 2025. Cheryl will be buried on Monday at 1:00 PM, at the Holy Rosary Cemetery, Banat, MI.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Cheryl's name to The Special Olympics, c/o Melody Prawitz, 702 Woodbine, St. Joseph, MO, 64507