Siletz news /, June 01, 2022, Page 13, Image 13

Sheryl K. Simmons – 1957-2022
Elouise Butler Case – 1937-2022
Sheryl was born to Shirley (Goodell)
and Richard Strickler on July 17, 1957, in
Newport, Ore. Sheryl and family moved to
Oakland, Ore., when Sheryl was 2, where
they lived on a farm and raised sheep. Her
family later returned to Siletz, Ore., where
Sheryl went to school.
Sheryl met the love of her life, Lenford
Simmons, and they married on March 23,
1974. They settled and lived in Siletz.
They raised two sons, Derek and Richard,
and two daughters, Shyla and Cheyenne.
Sheryl worked for the Toledo Library
and then for the Siletz Tribe as a pre-
school aide. She made her career work-
ing for the City of Siletz, first as deputy
recorder and later as city recorder.
Sheryl also served the Confederated
Tribes of Siletz Indians in the Elders
Program, helping to coordinate events for
the elders. Annually she would oversee
the giving tree gifts for children in need
that was sponsored by the Elders Program.
Sheryl was a generous person who
never hesitated to help someone in need.
Her favorite color was purple. She had
many interests, including beading, sewing,
reading, mud truck racing, shopping, play-
ing bingo, gaming, traveling, spending time
with family, camping, watching the kids play
sports and also watching the kids dance at
our annual pow-wow celebrations.
Sheryl retired in February 2021
from the City of Siletz after 38½ years of
service. She was a member of the Siletz
Grange for many years. Sheryl was a proud
member of the Confederated Tribes of
Siletz Indians. She descended from the
Chetco, Chinook, Clatsop, Joshua, Sixes,
Smith River/Tolowa, Tututni and Yamhill.
On Thursday, March 17, 2022, at
her home and surrounded by her family,
Elouise Butler Case was called from this
life to join her Heavenly Father.
Elouise was born at Chemawa in
Salem, Ore., on March 23, 1937, to Alton
Ivan Butler and Ella Brown Butler Sim-
mons. She spent most of her life in Siletz,
Ore., where she graduated high school,
cared for her five younger siblings after
their mother passed and eventually raised
her own four children.
Elouise gave her heart to the Lord in
1963; he was the love of her life. She was
a member of the Siletz Gospel Tabernacle
for almost 60 years. She led her life serving
the Lord, her church and her community.
A proud Siletz Tribal member,
Elouise was an ardent advocate for her
people. She was a member of the first
Tribal Council and helped with the draft-
ing of the Tribe’s Constitution. Much of
her professional life was spent in service
of the Tribe, working in multiple Tribal
departments and as a Grandma Teacher
in the Head Start program.
After retirement, she continued to
attend Tribal Council meetings to speak
on issues she believed were most impor-
tant for the good of the people. She cared
for others up to her last days, when she told
her family, “I want our Tribe to succeed.
I’ve only ever wanted what was best for
the people because I remember when we
had nothing.”
Elouise was an avid gardener, expert
seamstress, baker, and a beach and river
rock collector. She spent countless hours
studying scripture and taking long drives.
More than anything, she loved spend-
ing time with her family. Her children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren
brought immense joy to Elouise’s life and
she often expressed how blessed she was.
Sheryl passed away on March 27, 2022,
in Newport. She was preceded in death by
her parents, Richard and Shirley (Goodell)
Strickler; her brother, Randy Strickler; and
sister, Stacie (Strickler) Oleman.
Sheryl is survived by her husband,
Lenford Simmons; her sons, Derek
Simmons and Richard Simmons; her
daughters, Shyla Simmons and Chey-
enne Maldonado; six grandchildren; and
numerous nieces and nephews.
Sheryl was a loving wife, mother,
grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin
and friend to many. There are no words to
describe how greatly she will be missed.
A celebration of life was held for her
in Siletz on April 5. The Simmons family
would like to extend their heartfelt grati-
tude to the Siletz Tribe and to the family
and friends who assisted with the service
and potluck.
CTSI Jobs
Tribal employment information available at ctsi.nsn.us.
“Open Until Filled” vacancies may close at any time. The Tribe’s Indian Prefer-
ence policy applies. Tribal government will not discriminate in selection because of
race, creed, age, sex, color, national origin, physical handicap, marital status, politics,
membership or non-membership in an employee orgnization.
Her favorite things were family gatherings
at her home and watching her kids and
grandkids play ball and coach.
After her God and her family, Elouise
loved nothing more than supporting her
community. She was always the first to
lend a hand to anyone in need. She would
often drive around town just to check in
with her friends and neighbors, attend
various sports events to cheer on the
Warriors and was always happy to whip
up fry bread when local kids needed to
raise funds for sports or school activities.
Elouise was kind and strong, with a
sense of humor and a steady candor. You
could always count on her to “tell it like it
is.” She was a beacon of light and love. Her
smiles, hugs, laughs, prayers and words
of encouragement have touched the lives
of so many.
Elouise was preceded in death by her
grandson, Joshua Parr; her stepfather, Cal-
vin Simmons Sr.; and siblings, Nathaniel
Butler, Delmar Butler Sr., Ronald Butler
Sr., Alfred “Buck” Butler, Elaine Thomas,
Darwin Simmons and Leonda “Babe”
Simmons.
For more information about STAHS, visit siletzartsheritage.org.
June 2022
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Siletz News
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