Cheryl Johnson Hollingshead, age 79, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025, just 12 days before her 80th birthday. She was born on September 28, 1945  in Alliance, Ohio, where she spent her early years surrounded by the love of her extended family. She especially treasured the time she spent with her aunts and uncles, and she held dear the memories of attending horse shows with her beloved aunt.

After graduating high school, Cheryl proudly enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps, serving just over two years. Her military service was a source of lifelong pride, particularly the fact that she outranked her husband—a point she loved to share with a smile. It was during her time in the Army that she met the love of her life, Fred Johnson. The two married in March 1965 and built a beautiful life together in Fredonia, Arizona, where they raised their three daughters.

A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Cheryl poured her heart into her family. She was deeply involved in her daughters’ lives, and many in the community fondly remember her as a leader at numerous Girl’s Camps, with her Rising Stars singing group, and through Girl Scouts. Blessed with a gifted voice, she also shared her talent as a vocalist throughout her life. Family traditions were central to her, and after the passing of her husband in 2001, she carried on their shared love of Lake Powell trips and camping, ensuring her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren continued to experience the joy of those special gatherings.

In the years that followed,Cheryl married Andrew (Duffy) Bistline  and, with her new married name, inherited a large and loving family whom she cherished deeply. She held fond memories of time spent with them. Later, she made the difficult decision to divorce so she could move closer to her daughters. In 2010, she once again opened her heart and married Leon Hollingshead, joining another large extended family. She found joy in participating in their family reunions and took pride in getting to know all of his children and grandchildren.

She found great joy in her work and the connections she made throughout her lifetime. She spent many years as a waitress at Nedra’s Café and Houston’s, where she was known for her warm smile, friendly service, and the lasting friendships she built with customers and coworkers alike. Later, she dedicated herself to serving students and staff as a teacher’s aide and lunch secretary at Fredonia Schools, and later as a teacher’s aide at Parowan High School. In each role, she touched countless lives with her kindness, patience, genuine care for others, and a little bit of spunkiness too.

Cheryl loved holidays and delighted in celebrating each season to the fullest. Her home was always filled with festive cheer, as she took great pride in her extensive collection of holiday decorations. Family and friends looked forward to seeing how she transformed her home throughout the year, and her excitement for holidays was contagious, bringing joy and lasting memories to all who shared them with her.

As her health began to decline, Cheryl moved to Hurricane, Utah, where she lived in an assisted living facility and formed many close friendships. Most recently, she resided at the Southern Utah Veterans Home, where she received diligent and compassionate care from the staff who came to know and love her.

She is survived by her husband of 15 years, Leon Hollingshead, her two daughters, Stacey (Ron) Burgess, and Amy (Tony) Wilkey,  her 7 grandchildren, Colton (Caitlin) Baker, Kylie (Mitch) Herzog, Kelsey (Sajel) Gale, Manny Burgess, Kaden (Amanda) Wilkey, and Kendall Wilkey, 7 great-grandchildren, a beloved sister-in-law, Noreen Jessop, and her extended families, all of whom will forever cherish her legacy of love, service, and strength. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Johnson, her daughter, Tina Johnson, her son in law, Ron Burgess, her granddaughter, Zoey Johnson and many other loved ones who she dearly missed.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 27th at the Fredonia LDS Church 80 S. Main St, Fredonia, AZ 86022. Viewing will be at 3:30 PM(AZ Time) followed with the funeral service at 4:30 PM (AZ Time).  Interment will follow at the Fredonia Cemetery under the direction of Mosdell Mortuary.  A live-stream of the service will be available for those who cannot attend in person.

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