Honoring Tradition.
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Patricia Cheadle

December 10, 1935 - December 9, 2021
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Friday, December 17, 2021
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Saturday, December 18, 2021
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Crossroads Bible Church

Service

Saturday, December 18, 2021
11:00 AM EST
Live Stream
Crossroads Bible Church
800 Scribner NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

You may park in all surrounding parking lots at the neighboring businesses.

Map
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Kids' Food Basket
1300 Plymouth Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 235-4532
Web Site

Good News Nepal
100 Pine Street, Suite 382
Zeeland, MI 49464
Web Site

Christ Life Ministries
PO BOX 399
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 890-6100
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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All who knew Patricia Cheadle would say that it was so easy to see the love of the Lord radiating from her wherever she went. She was kind, generous, and selfless with a desire to exemplify what it means to be the hands and feet of her Savior. Second only to her faith was the love she had for her family, and Patricia considered herself blessed beyond measure to be a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother so many times over. She was the sort of person who never met a stranger, and she had a special way of relating to anyone. Life will never be the same without Patricia here, but she leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

Though the 1930’s were a time of hardship in our nation, there was joy in the household of Nelson and Josephine (Van Heest) Waalkes as they announced the birth of the baby girl they named Patricia Ann on December 10, 1935. After living in Muskegon, Michigan for a couple years they moved back to Grand Rapids. Grandpa Waalkes was an architect and built them a small house behind his own. All of Nels and Jo's children grew up there and it was a weekly gathering place for the immediate and extended family after church every Sunday. Their home was across the street from Bethel Christian Reformed Church where many family members attended for years. In 1938 Patricia was blessed with a brother Nelson. WW II put a gap in everyone's lives. But then came Mark, Virginia and Mary. What joy for this family built on love in the heart of a loving extended family.

In later years Pat described her childhood as a Norman Rockwell kind of life. Her parents and her faith blessed her with looking at what God gave. . . not what the world took away. She knew life had hardship; the death of her precious daddy when she was 12, followed by rheumatic fever for her that would lead to 4 major open heart operations through her adult life, limited financial means...Patricia always chose joy in her life.

As a student she attended Southwest Christian during grade school and then went on to Grand Rapids Christian High School. In addition to holding down her studies Patricia also worked at Jurgens and Holtvluwer and also helped with the chores at home as well as caring for her younger siblings. Patricia also excelled in her studies and was part of the National Honors Society.

After graduating from high school, Patricia was eager for all that life had in store. She found work with Michigan Bell Telephone and also married and had three daughters, Kathi-Jo, Sheryl, and Holly. They made their home on the Southeast side of the city, and Patricia stayed home to care for their young family. She was an amazing mother who was there to support, nurture, and encourage her children in everything they did. Patricia was also an incredible cook and baker. Once her girls were in school, Patricia started working again doing some odd jobs including at Roger’s Department Store. She then found work with Kent Intermediate School District for many years, helping manage teacher consultants. In her thirties Patricia went back to school at Grand Rapids Junior College and then Blodgett School of Nursing. With her education behind her she worked at a hospital in Petoskey, and then over the years she worked at various hospitals including Blodgett, Butterworth and St. Mary’s hospitals.

Throughout her life Patricia was always busy. She was a gifted seamstress who made clothes, coats, clothing, and dolls. In fact, Patricia has been called a textile artist as her skills included much more than sewing. She also knitted, did needlepoint including intricate needlepoint sets, and also made quilts for more than 20 years. Patricia rarely kept anything she made for herself as she loved giving what she made to her loved ones. Each of her children and grandchildren received one of her quilts. Music was always a significant part of her life, and she not only learned to play the accordion as a young girl but she also encouraged her daughters to pursue their own musical passions. Whether her girls were playing the piano, violin, flute, or something else, Patricia was there to support them. When they were young music filled the house throughout the day as they practiced. No matter what time they got up in the morning Patricia’s girls knew they would find their mother already up as she was always the first to rise so she could spend time with the Lord in His Word and prayer. For years she also kept a journal of her time with the Lord.

Although her first marriage ended, Patricia went on to find love again with someone she had known from her high school years. His name was Bruce Cheadle, and they met again later in life. They found genuine companionship in one another and married on May 18, 1984. Family was always of the utmost importance to Patricia, and when she married Bruce her family would grow to include seven children, 20 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. She prayed for her entire family by name, and there was always room in her heart for each new addition. Patricia and Bruce made their home on the West Side of Grand Rapids, and after many years they built their home on the shores of Versluis Lake. They filled their home with love and unconditional understanding toward others. Patricia and Bruce were members at Crossroad Bible Church and also formed a house church, where her gift of hospitality shined. As a couple they had countless deep conversations and also focused their time on each other as well as serving the Lord.

Marrying Bruce brought about a shift in Patricia’s life as she felt called to leave nursing to spend more time with her new husband. She shared her gifts of hospitality and kindness in everything as she was able to make a genuine connection with people whether they were business or personal contacts. Patricia just had a way of making everyone feel special and at ease. She loved having fun with Bruce, learning how to downhill ski and also spending time on Lake Michigan aboard their Scarab. Together they traveled extensively throughout the world, but one of her favorite places was visiting their home away from home in Hawaii. An avid reader, Patricia enjoyed reading and read a variety of things including history, biographies, novels, and religious books.

Someone who was truly beautiful on the inside and out, Patricia Cheadle was a blessing in the lives of so many. Kind, warm, and gentle, it was easy to see that she loved both the Lord and others well. Never one to be concerned with herself, Patricia faced whatever came her way head on and considered every day to be a gift from the Lord she loved. A special treasure in the lives of those around her, she will never be forgotten.

Patricia Ann (Waalkes) Cheadle, Born December 10, 1935 passed into the glorious presence of her Savior on the eve of her 86th birthday. Precious wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, great aunt and friend, her place cannot be filled by another. A woman of daily, extended prayer and time in the Word, she poured out her heart for many. Her wisdom, warm heart, eagerness for new knowledge, open heart & open home are known to all.

Patricia leaves behind waiting to join her, Husband Bruce, Children Kathi-Jo (Gordon) DeYoung, Dr. Sheryl Rozema, Holly (Jeff) Henderson, Step Children Eric (Nancy) Cheadle, Kim (Bill) Boynton, Soni (Jim) Konyndyk, Tamara (Mark) Doornbos; Grandchildren Alex (Apryl) DeYoung, Annalise (Evan) Hammerlund, Chris (Ria) DeYoung, Heidi DeYoung, Lukas Henderson, Isaac Henderson, Eric Cheadle II, Krista Cheadle, Emma Cheadle, Paul (Lo) Boynton, Joel (Angie) Boynton, Kyle (Brenda) Boynton, Kate (Jeff) DenBraber, Jillian Konyndyk, Megan Konyndyk, Tyler (Elizabeth) Doornbos, Miles Doornbos, Connor Doornbos, Sydney Doornbos, Parker Doornbos and 18 great grandchildren. Patricia leaves four siblings, spouses & their families and Bruce’s 6 siblings (Deane deceased) & their spouses & families – all precious to her.

Visitation 4-7 PM Friday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel. Funeral at 11:00 AM Saturday at Crossroads Bible Church, 800 Scribner N.W. in Grand Rapids (all surrounding parking lots available). Visitation at Church at 10:00 AM. Lunch to follow.

Donations in Pat’s memory are welcome to Good News Nepal, Christ Life Ministries or Kids’ Food Basket. To read more about Pat’s life, to share a memory or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com

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