Cheryl Mateka (nee Cizl), 79 of Winter Springs, FL left this world peacefully surrounded by family after a long illness. Cheryl was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend. Born in Lorain, Ohio, Cheryl graduated from Brookside High School in 1963. During her high school years, Cheryl met the love of her life, George who she married in Wise, VA in 1965.
Cheryl spent the first half of her life in Sheffield Lake, Ohio raising her two children while finding time to bowl, sew costumes and clothes, ride her motorcycle, participate in the international sorority Beta Sigma Phi and be the voice of the Brookside High School marching band. Cheryl also worked for several prominent Northern Ohio companies, most notably Dixon Ticonderoga, which would provide Cheryl with the opportunity of a lifetime.
In 1990, Dixon Ticonderoga decided to relocate its operations in Sandusky, Ohio to Lake Mary, Fl and asked Cheryl to assist with the move. Cheryl fell in love with the area and moved permanently to Central Florida in 1991. After settling in Winter Springs, Fl, Cheryl quickly built a strong network of friends that love Cheryl like family. Cheryl retired from Dixon in 2011 and was able to find more time for her passion for traveling and cruising all over the world with family and friends as well as working for Gay Days year-round to make the event successful until her retirement.
Cheryl is preceded in death by her husband George Mateka, mother and father Eleanor (nee Herbert), and Harry Cizl, as well as sister Elaine Benton (nee Cizl). Cheryl is survived by her daughter Michelle (Dave); son George “Tony” Anthony Mateka III; grandchildren Tony and Robin; brother Mark Cizl (LuAnn); and one great granchild. Cheryl was also a loving sister-in-law to Linda Gonzalez (nee Mateka), John (Bonnie) Mateka, and Leslie Mateka, as well as aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life for Cheryl is currently in the planning stages and the family will provide information once details are known.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests friends donate to their favorite charity in the name of Cheryl Mateka.
