Cheryl Ann Hofbauer, 74, of Peoria, IL, passed away Saturday, January 4, 2025, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She was born January 11, 1950, in Champaign, IL to John Joseph and Betty Jane Green Violano.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Teresa Violano, and step sister Karen Keas Winemiller. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Kenneth A. Hofbauer, her sister Kathy Kauffman, half- sister Laura Landis, and her daughter Sarah (Aaron) DeShane and grandchildren, Julian, Catherine, and Everett.
Cheryl was never afraid to “March to her own Drum” and stand behind her convictions and encouraged others to do the same. She retired from Caterpillar in 2006, where she was one of the first and few women to complete the Caterpillar Apprenticeship and work in Skilled Trades.
She never did anything in moderation including loving her family and friends fiercely. She enjoyed doting on her grandchildren, playing poker, playing games with her family, reading, and supporting causes she believed in. She served as a secretary for the Peoria ACLU Chapter and was a lifetime and after life member of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
She lived across from Bradley Park, which she loved, for over 50 years and a park bench in her honor can be found there which includes the quote from Robert G. Ingersoll “Happiness is the only good. The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now. The way to be happy is to make others so.”
Cremation has been accorded and no services will be held.
The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Pekin/Peoria is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at csmico.com
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