Obituaries
Obituary: Cheri A. Day
Her life is a testament to what it means to invest in community, share skills generously, and lead by example with strength and compassion.
Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.
Cheri A. Day
(nee Douglass)
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Cheri A. Day, a lifelong resident of Joliet, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the age of 80. She was born on October 13, 1945, where she spent her entire life learning, teaching, and sharing her many talents with her community.
Ms. Day was a committed student and educator. She graduated from Joliet Township High School and Joliet Junior College, and went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Outdoor Education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Her dedication to education extended far beyond the classroom, and she devoted her career to helping others grow in knowledge, confidence, and skill.
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Cheri taught at Lincoln, Farragut Grade and Dirksen schools, where her intelligence and care for her students left a lasting impact. After retiring she continued her passion for education as a both a tutor and substitute teacher.
In her younger years, she served as a swimming instructor at the YMCA and the American Red Cross, sharing the life-saving skill of swimming with countless individuals. Earlier in life, she was also a lifeguard at the Lily Cache Rod and Gun Club, reflecting her lifelong connection to the outdoors and to water.
Adventurous by nature, Cheri enjoyed trail riding with her mules, swimming, fishing, bicycling, and snowmobiling. Her love for these activities was not only personal, but also communal; she was a past president and officer of numerous horseback riding and snowmobiling clubs. Through these roles, she fostered fellowship, encouraged outdoor recreation, and helped build communities around the activities she cherished.
Cheri is survived by her beloved sons, Lee (Janile) Day and Doug (Tammy) Day; five grandchildren, Skyler (Reid) Zyniecki, Austin (fiance Courtney) Day, Carter Day, Reid Day, and Kara Day; and one great-granddaughter, Saylor Zyniecki.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Sr. and Ruth (nee Johnson) Douglass; her brother, Clarence Jr.; and four uncles, LaVerne "Vinnie", Elmer C. Johnson, Ralph Douglass, and Harold “Spike” Johnson.
Visitation for Cheri A. Day will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, IL, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Northern Illinois Food Bank.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
