Obituaries

Cheryl Ann Petkus, age 77, of Rudyard, Michigan, went to her peace in the arms of her Savior on July 16, 2026, at White Wiles Assisted Living home in Rudyard. She was born on February 22, 1949, in Ravenna, Ohio, to Jesse Lee and Audrey Genevieve (Harris) Russell.

Cheryl grew up in Kent, Ohio, and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School. Following graduation, she worked at the local hospital, where she experienced the aftermath of the tragic Kent State University shooting. At that time, she also showed dogs professionally, and traveled throughout the eastern United States. One of her dogs, a Gordon Setter, went on to be one of the top producing dogs in the US. After moving to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Cheryl met and married David Pope, and they made a home on his old family farm. There they raised horses, goats, chickens, dogs, and three children. Throughout her life, Cheryl owned over ninety dogs! She also worked as a dog groomer, served as a 4-H leader, worked as an EMT in Kincheloe, Michigan, a home health aid, a dental assistant, and at a dairy goat operation milking and making cheese. Cheryl found great joy in the outdoors. She loved raising dairy goats, horses, rabbits, and chickens, but her greatest passion was raising, training, and showing dogs. She also enjoyed tending her garden and took pride in preserving the fruits of her labor. When she wasn't outside, Cheryl could often be found sewing, knitting, baking, canning, or quilting, creating beautiful handmade treasures for those she loved. Each summer she would arrange picnics with her family, and when younger, she enjoyed camping.

Cheryl was raised in the Methodist faith, and when she moved to Kincheloe she joined the New Hope Church. In later years, she was a faithful member of Rudyard Christian Reformed Church, and truly believed in Jesus as her Savior. We are looking forward to our reunion with her; she will be dearly missed!

Cheryl is survived by her children, JoAnne (Ted) Folkersma of Rudyard, Jenny (Don) Mohler of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Robert (Shannon) Pope of Kinross, Michigan; grandchildren, Benjamin Folkersma, Katrina (Jasper Lieurance) Folkersma, Andrew Folkersma, Matthew Folkersma, Samantha (Zach McEachern) Young, Cassandra (Tony Erisman) Eskew, Melanie (Alex Wierzbicki) Eskew, Alyssa (Sage Sawyer) Pope, Myles Pope, and Jared Smith; great-grandchildren, Salem, Lennon, and Allie; sisters, Susan (Michael) Gallina; Betsy (John) Murphy; and Shirley (Patrick) Ivey; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her son, Mitch Petkus; parents, Jesse and Audrey; and ex-husbands, David Pope and Mitchell Petkus Sr.

Memorial Donations can be made in Cheryl’s honor to White Wiles Assisted Living, 10946 W. Fairdor Dr. Rudyard, MI 49780; Rudyard Christian School, 17970 S. Tilson Road, Suite #2, Rudyard, MI 49780; or Chippewa County Animal Shelter, 3660 South Mackinaw Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on July 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM, followed by a service at 11:00 AM, at the Rudyard Christian Reformed Church, 17970 S Tilson Road, Rudyard Michigan.

Cheryl’s final resting place will be at the Lakeview Cemetery in Kinross.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.