Cheryl (Mattox) Leonardeonard

Cheryl A. Leonard, 65, of Niles, passed away on Wednesday evening, August 17, 2022 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana with those who loved her.

She was born on February 3, 1957 in South Bend, Indiana to Donald E. and Janice A. (Hensel) Mattox.

Cheryl was a 1975 graduate of John Adams High School. On November 1, 1980 Cheryl married the love of her life, Terry Leonard at a ceremony in South Bend, Indiana. Cheryl had great faith and previously attended Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in South Bend, where she had been very active and taught Sunday School for many years. Cheryl worked as a custodian at the University of Notre Dame for almost 20 years before leaving and opening her own cleaning and caregiving business. Her “clients” were more extensions of her family and she cherished her time with all of them.

She and her family enjoyed many great trips to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, where they loved going on a “bear hunt” and camping in the beautiful outdoors. Cheryl was fond of traveling and going on vacation, especially to Disney World. Her highlight in life was spending time with her grandson and she was always looking forward to their special adventures, no matter how big or small. She enjoyed being a grandma so much that she became Grandma Mattox to many surrogate grandchildren. She was a devoted mother and friend who always had a ready compliment, a genuine smile, and was constantly giving to others while giving less to herself. Cheryl left her mark on more people than she could ever realize.

Cheryl is preceded in death by her father, Donald E. Mattox and her husband, Terrence E. Leonard.

She is survived by her mother, Janice Ann Mattox of South Bend; her daughters, Carrie (Justin) Dunnem of Granger and Sam (Tara) Leonard of Niles; her beloved grandson, Mattox Dunnem of Granger, Indiana; her cat, Minnie, her brother, Dwight (Denise) Mattox of Florida as well as a host of nieces, nephews, surrogate grandchildren, and countless other family and friends. She will be missed by many.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with a time of visitation beginning at 4:00 p.m. The family encourages attendees to adorn their favorite Disney attire. A private interment will be held at a later time.

Memorial contributions may be made in Cheryl’s memory to Mattox’s Education Fund in care of Brown Funeral Home at 521 E. Main Street, Niles, Michigan 49120 or Caring Circle Hospice at 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

Memories of Cheryl may be left for her family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.