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» Patricia Ann Stancil Reed » Cheryl A. "Cheri" Willard Repecko
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| Cheri's children with John Repecko Sr. |
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| John "Jay" Repecko Jr. |
| Kellie Ann Repecko Lewis |
| Kendra Ann Repecko-Batts |
| Kristie Repecko-McGlynn |
Cheryl A. "Cheri" Willard, the oldest daughter of the late Lee Roy and Patricia Stancil Willard, was born on July 24, 1946, in Boston.
Cheri’s mom Patricia, the daughter of Herbert Andrew and Julia Lillian Derrington Stancil, married four times: Lee Roy Willard in 1945; Clayton Lewis Bowes Sr. in 1948; Norman Parker Mac Pherson in 1960; and Hugh Lee Reed in 1965.
Cheri is the oldest of four children from Patricia's first two marriages: Sandra Louise Bowes, born in 1948; Ruthann Bowes, born in 1950, and Clayton Bowes Jr., born in 1953.
Cheri grew up in Lynn for most of her life, graduating from Lynn Classical High School in 1964, where she served as treasurer of her class reunion committee.
John "Johnnie" Julius Repecko Sr. was born on October 14, 1944. He was the son of Joseph Julius Repecko and Mary D. Holloway Repecko Promise. Johnnie was the third oldest in a large Massachusetts family, learning responsibility at an early age. His paternal grandparents, John and Helen, had immigrated from Lithuania in the early 1900s.
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In 1963, Johnnie joined the U.S. Army Airborne. By 1964, with the Vietnam War escalating, he was stationed with the VII Corps LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) in Nellingen, near Stuttgart, Germany, undertaking highly dangerous missions. It was while Johnnie was in service that he met Cheri.
Cheri and Johnnie were married by a Justice of the Peace on November 20, 1965, in Massachusetts. Cheri's sister, Sandy, served as her maid of honor, and Johnnie’s brother, Buddy Bursey, was his best man. Their marriage would span 46 years.
Johnnie received an honorable discharge from the Army in 1966. He then began working at the General Electric Riverworks Plant in Lynn, Massachusetts, retiring in 2006. For over 40 years, Johnnie also worked part-time as a bartender, a role perfectly suited to his friendly, outgoing, and personable nature. He was an avid sports fan, enjoyed playing cards, and was known as quite a "pool shark." He also loved tackling challenging crossword puzzles.
Cheri and Johnnie were blessed with a son, John "Jay" Repecko Jr., born in 1966; and three daughters: Kellie Ann Repecko, born in 1969; Kendra Ann Repecko, born in 1976; and Kristie Repecko, born in 1977.
They are also proud grandparents to John Repecko III, Lauren Griffeth, Skyla Manning, Mikey and Sarah Lewis, and Ami McGlynn, and great-grandparents to Shawn, Kylie, and Thomas John Griffeth. Cheri, especially, was affectionately known as "Ma" or "Nana" to many.
Cheri worked as a law office secretary for many years. She attended the 2011 Stancil Reunion with her son Jay, his wife Flo, her sisters Sandy and Ruth, her brother Skip and his wife Donna, niece Kim, and grand-nephews Timothy and Tyler.
Johnnie bravely battled cancer before passing away at home in Lynn, Massachusetts, on January 16, 2012, at the age of 67, surrounded by his devoted family. He was laid to rest in Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Cheri continued to live in Lynn for the greater part of her life. She passed away at her home in Lynn, Massachusetts, on January 28, 2021, at the age of 74, after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. She is buried alongside Johnnie in Pine Grove Cemetery.
Cheri is survived by her sisters Sandra Kelly and Ruthann Callinan, and her brother Clayton Bowes Jr. and his wife Donna.