Cheryl Ann McCallum, 69, of Bryan, passed away Friday March 6, 2015 in Oklahoma City. A celebration of life memorial service is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2015 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bryan, with Rev. Randall Bard officiating. Visitation with family members will be from 5-7 p.m. in the church parlor. Funeral and Cremation services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral Home and Crematory. There will be a private interment at the Aggie Field of Honor in College Station.
Cheryl was born August 28, 1945 in Atascadero, California, to Frederick and Viola Ortmann. She was raised in Augusta, Kansas and attended St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas, and the University of Kansas in Lawrence. She worked for many years in administrative support in secondary education in Oklahoma City and College Station. She was a life-long Lutheran and was active in many church activities and charities.
She leaves behind her loving husband, Roderick E. McCallum, PhD.; sons and daughters-in-law, Christopher and Balinda McCallum, Lake Charles, Louisiana; David McCallum and Victoria Grady, Alexandria, Virginia; mother, Betty Ortmann, Augusta, Kansas; brother, Michael Ortmann, Kansas City; grandchildren, Keilan McCallum, Kendall Grady, and Reagan McCallum.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Brazos Valley at 502 W. 26th St, Bryan, TX 77803, or Wheat Ridge Ministries, One Pierce Place, Suite 250E; Itasca, Illinois 60143.
For more information contact [wpseo_address id=”undefined”]
Rod,
Kinch and I are shocked and saddened to hear of Cheryl’s death. She was a truly sweet, Godly woman, and we feel privileged to have known her.
May You find peace in knowing she is in Jesus’s arms.
Fondly,
Kinch and Linda
The world and your family has lost a precious, caring woman. I am so sorry. May your memories and your heritage of her loving spirit give you comfort.
Dr. McCallum:
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Warmly,
Rae Lynn
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family at this time. May God give you peace.
Dear Rod:
It was only a little over a week ago that I made your acquaintance as you rejoined the Wheat Ridge Board. I regret not having a chance to meet Cheryl. But I am aware of the deep grief that comes with the loss of a dear spouse, as I came to this point myself in 1994. I pray that God will give you a strength sufficient to get you through these difficult days, and that you will find a measure of the hope the Risen Lord gives us as you look to the future for Cheryl and for yourself.
Jon Diefenthaler
Dr. McCallum,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and Mrs. McCallum were some of the first people we net when we joined Peace Lutheran Church. We always looked forward to seeing you. You and your family are always in our prayers.
Andy, Donna, Bethany and Chad
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Cheryl. She was such a sweet lady and will definitely be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Rod, we are praying for you and your family. The entire AHS class of 1962 are thinking of you and remembering the many thoughts we have of Cheryl. May you know God’s presence around you as you deal with this loss.
Rod and family,
We were saddened to learn of your loss of Cheryl. Our condolences and prayers are with you. In the difficult days ahead we pray for you to receive peace. Our deepest sympathy. Craig and Karan
Rod,
Dave and I were shocked and so saddened to receive word that Cheryl had passed away. She was a special neighbor and friend and will be missed by all of those fortunate enough to have known her. We pray that God will grant you and your family the comfort, strength, and peace that only He can give.
Natalie
Rod, we regret so much that we weren’t home Friday when you called us. We’d been at the hospital in just a few minutes. Harl keeps saying I wish we’d been home and of course, I do also.
For the past days, I have thought about all the fun things that we did and also all the crazy things we did when you all lived in OKC. Have to share one. She had taken me out for my birthday in January and we stayed much longer than planned and when we came out, there was snow everywhere. We had to go get David from MDO and then the roads were getting bad and she and David just slid out of the car and I never stopped and just turned the corner. There were others also.
Our prayers are with you, Chris, David, and the rest of the family.
We plan on seeing you Thursday evening.
Rod
I am sorry to hear this news. My heart goes out to you and the rest of your family. God bless you. Lisa and I are praying for peace to come and comfort you.
Paul and Lisa Brister
Dr. McCallum and family:
I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your wife Cheryl. I know she was the love of your life. I pray for healing and strength for you and your family. The Lord will be with you in this difficult time. Brenda
David and the entire McCallum family,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We are very sorry for your loss and pray that you are able to find some comfort in the celebration of Cheryl’s remarkable life.
Andy (David’s friend and colleague)
Rod, my heart goes out to you and your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you grieve the loss of Cheryl, your bride. Peace and healing. Brian
Dear Rod,
Denise and I are so sad to hear the news of Cheryl’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during these difficult days. As the days pass and when you feel it’s the right time write about Cheryl, you will be lifted.
Doug and Denise
Chris and Family
I am so sorry for the loss you your mom Chris. God I ask you to wrap your warm arms around Chris and his family as they go though every hard days to come.AMEN Chris please call if you all need anything….
Dear Rod, Cheryl and I had fun even delivering Hospice Christmas wreaths. I’ll miss that, even if barely a fraction of what you will miss. You are in my prayers. Kathryn Lindsay
We were so sad to hear of Cheryl’s death. You all remain in our thoughts and prayers.
She was a wonderful person! God will be with you.
Dearest Rod…… there are no words. You know how much I loved that sweet gal 🙂 You and she were two of my most favorite clients at GOLDS. I always looked so forward to her sessions. She was always so happy…… so FUNNY……so classy…… a great chef……a wonderful mom… and she loved you so much. She would talk a lot about you….. your sons and family…. and Kansas basketball. I am saddened that we lost touch over the years. 🙁 Prayers for you and your loved ones……. Bless her little heart….. may she be at peace now and watch over you guys from heaven.
Slyck and Bear
Rod, we were saddened to hear of Cheryl’s death. Rest assured that she rests in the loving arms of Jesus. Peace be with you and your family. Larry & Marilyn
I am so saddened and shocked to hear about the death of Cheryl. I feel like I have known the two of you for so many years. Please accept my sincere condolences. Cheryl was such a great person and I really enjoyed the time that we spent together. My prayers are with you.
Carol Ames
Rod,
We cannot imagine the emptiness of your heart. We were shocked to hear of Cheryl’s sudden death. Please know that our thoughts are with you and your family at this tragic time. May the peace of God’s blessings be with you all.
Bari and Gerry
Rod and family,
We are saddened and shocked about Cheryl. Please know that you and yours are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sharon and clarence
We are praying for you and your family at this time of loss. We pray that God will comfort you and that you will feel his presence in a very special way as you walk this path.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Dear Rod,
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear wife. May God’s love and comfort surround you and hold you in this time of grief. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Joanne Otte
I am sorry for your loss and am praying for you and your whole family. I will never forget Cheryl’s kindness, sunny personality, and joy. God blessed me with having the opportunity to spend time with her and I know that Heaven is rejoicing!
Dear Rod, Chris, David, and Families,
Words cannot express our deep sympathy to you. Our hearts are torn at the news of dear Cheryl’s passing. We know the heavy burden of grieving. And we pray that the comfort of God’s abiding love with His eternal promise carries you through.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
John and Judie Koski
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Cheryl. She was a bright ray of sunshine to anyone who knew her and she will be missed. Our hearts go out to the family. You are in our prayers.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Linda and Robert.
Rod and family,
Our thoughts and prayers continue for you and your whole family. May the Lord continue to be your Source of comfort, hope, and peace.
We mourn with you and we also rejoice with you in the Promise of the Resurrection.
Peace and hope in the name of the healing Christ!
Rich and Hazel Bimler
Rod, Chris, David, and families:
We are so so sad to hear of Cheryl’s death. To us, Cheryl was the epitome of positive adjectives: sweet, kind, gentle, caring, generous, joyful, and beautiful inside as well as out. We enjoyed being around her because she exuded enthusiasm and vibrancy. We always felt welcome and appreciated in her company. She made your lovely homes inviting, comfortable, and relaxing for family and friends. How lucky we were to be included in your circle of friends! Over 22 years ago, when you left OU and Oklahoma to move south across the border, Don and I hated to see you move away. Texas had stolen the McCallum brains and beauty! What a loss for all of us.
In marrying Cheryl, you chose well, Rod, but we know you know that.
You all (and her Kansas family) have our blessings, prayers and sympathy.
Our love to everyone,
Don and Cheryl Graves
Dear Rod
I just heard about Cheryl today from Madeleine. I am so sorry for your loss. I have a hard time wrapping my head around this. I have many fond memories of her from invitations to your home, work functions, and in Germany. She was the epitome of grace and charm. Tim and I extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
With warm regards,
Molly and Tim
I was so saddened to hear that Cheryl had passed. My heart goes out to you, Rod, your two sons, Betty, and Mike. She was such a sweet person and always had that smile. I know this is such a shock for you all but what a sweet journey for Cheryl…no suffering…no struggle…..just stepping over into Heaven! I want you to know that I treasure many memories Cheryl and I shared as young girls growing up in Augusta and going through high school. She was even in my wedding! Words cannot express the sympathy nor heartbreak I feel for your family at this time. Heartfelt sympathy and prayers that God will sustain you at this time are sent your way.
Judy Martin Haynes
Rod and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Cheryl was such a wonderful lady. She will be missed I am sure. The times I was with her was very special. Please know that you all are in my prayers.
Regina
Rod and Family – I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your beloved wife and mom – she was a dear friend of mine all through high school. We attended Christ Lutheran Church in Augusta and we were confirmed in our faith together. I have such cherished memories of Cheryl. My heart is deeply sad. I know she is living with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the loving arms of our Father God in Heaven.
Cheryl’s dad, Fred, was my Sunday School teacher for years. He was a man of faith and a huge influence in my life as a teen. Betty is such a beautiful human being. I love the Ortmann family.
Pat BOYD Morris
We are remembering our dear niece and cousin and know she is rejoicing in heaven! Much love to you Rod and your family – Dick and Audrey H umes and all the H umes cousins
Dear Rod, Chris, David and Families, We will hold you in prayer tomorrow as you celebrate Cheryl’s beautiful life. To know she is with her Lord brings comfort to our grief. God’s peace be with you.
Becky (Humes) Crossan and Rob Crossan
David and Family:
On behalf of SRA, I want to express our sincerest condolences for your loss. We appreciate the contribution David has made to our SRA family and know that so many of his fine traits are due to a great mom and the investment she made in him. Our prayers are with you, David, and with your dad and Family.
Kelley Artz, SRA
David and family,
My sincerest and most heartfelt condolences. David’s SRA family has you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Rob Blake
Dear Rod and family;
My sincere sympathy at Cheryl’s passing. Many years ago, Cheryl chaired my first committee assignment at Peace Lutheran and I very quickly realized what a blessing it was to get to know her, a generous and caring woman. I pray for God’s comfort to you and your family. Pat Morse
Rod,
I was so saddened and shocked to hear of Cheryl’s death. I am so sorry for your loss. She was such a sweet woman; I’m sure you are heartbroken. Please know my thoughts are with you. Take care of yourself. Alicia D.
Rod,
Rhonda and I are heartbroken. We always looked forward to our time with you and Cheryl at the annual Hospice Brazos Valley “Happening”. It won’t be the same.
we share a part of your grief, and hope you remember to spend some time on yourself during this difficult period.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, and we are available should you need anything.
Rod,
My heart hurts for you. Cheryl is a part of so many of my memories of you, the College of Medicine and the HSC. I cannot imagine your sense of loss We are lifting
you and your sons and their families up in our prayers. Her sweet generous nature graced many of our events. She will be missed. Nancy
Dear Rod,
I’m so terribly sorry to hear of your sweet wife’s passing. May the Lord, your family and friends, and your memories give you comfort now and in the days ahead.
Cathy Pepper
Rod and family,
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Rod,
Losing Cheryl has been such a loss for us all. She was a wonderful, sweet lady and was so welcoming and warm whenever I would see her at COM or HSC events. I know you will miss her dearly and hope you know how much this hurts us all. Wish you two had been blessed with more time together to enjoy your retirement. We are all holding you and your family in our thoughts.
Kate
Dear Rod,
We are so sorry for your loss. Cheryl was such a kind and gracious person. We have wonderful memories of the times we spent together at College of Medicine events. We pray that the Holy Spirit fill you with his grace during this difficult time in your life.
God bless you and peace of Christ be with you and your family.
Fill and Rosalinda.
Mr. McCallum, Chris, David,
We are sorry to hear about your loss. We offer you our deepest sympathies and prayers.
God bless,
Brian Howard
I would like to extend my condolences to Rod and his family for this loss.