Cheryl Teeters

(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Dr. Cheryl E. Teeters, 69, of La Russell, Missouri, died on April 9, 2016 at her home after a brief battle with cancer.

Dr. Teeters was born on February 24, 1947 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to the late Howard and Annalea Burkett Teeters. Mother, Annalea, was a La Russell native and thoughout the years many family trips were made to the Burkett grandparents’ family farm.

Cheryl’s father was a teacher and her childhood was spent in the “boot heel” of the state living in small towns like Lutesville, Hayti and Bernie. She graduated from Caruthersville High School in 1965. An outstanding student, her lifelong love of the great outdoors was born after a trip to the national Senior Girl Scout Roundup in Button Bay, Vermont in 1962. She was the only female member and one of the top scorers of the school’s Rotary Rifleman team. Her adept shooting skills were used throughout her life, hunting and teaching at youth shooting camps.

Cheryl received her B.S. in Education in 1969 from Southeast Missouri State University. In 1984 she obtained her Masters in Recreation and Park Administration from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. She taught and coached high school in St. Louis and later worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation before earning her PhD in Environmental Science at Oklahoma State University in 1994.

Later that year she accepted a teaching position in the Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management program at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI, retiring in 2013 with the distinction of professor emeritus. She was a much loved charismatic compassionate educator and inspiring lecturer able to engage her students with her excitement, knowledge and animation. Many summers were spent on backpacking expeditions with colleagues and students.

She was actively involved in many organizations throughout her career. Cheryl was a past officer and member of the Missouri Coalition for Education in the Outdoors, an Outdoor and Hunter Skills Education specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation and an active member of the Wilderness Education Association.

Cheryl relocated to La Russell upon her retirement to escape the brutal Michigan winters and to take advantage of the longer golf season while being close to cousins, Patricia Guinn and husband Rodney, Fred Whitehead and wife, Terri and Linda Heman and husband, Larry, all of La Russell and a multitude of second, third and “adopted” cousins. An only child, she loved spending time with her Missouri family, whether at family get-togethers or attending Sarcoxie High School sporting events. Her fun loving personality and sense of humor always made family events a special occasion.

A celebration of Dr. Teeters’ life will be held at graveside services at Harvey Cemetery, La Russell, Missouri on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Harvey Cemetery Association or the Joplin Humane Society, c/o Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home.