Cheryl A. (Ballard) Hertel

Mrs. Cheryl A. (Ballard) Hertel, age 48, of Utica, passed away on Thursday, September 20, 2007, at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center with her loving family by her side. Born in Malone, NY on July 6, 1959, Cheryl is the daughter of Keith, Sr. and Leona (Brown) Ballard. Raised and educated locally, she was a 1978 graduate of T. R. Proctor High School. On June 22, 2002 she married Irving A. Hertel. They were ‘true companions’ and their union was loving and devoted. Cheryl was employed with the Birnie Bus Corporation as a bus driver for 14 years until the time of her illness. She was a fun-loving, caring individual, always ready to lend moral support or a helping hand when needed. She was self-sacrificing and tended to other’s needs before her own. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family. During her leisure time she found pleasure in reading, or playing a good game of cards. She truly liked cooking lunch for her co-workers at Birnie Bus and volunteering her culinary talents for any event that Birnie sponsored. She also valued her participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She was a communicant of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. Cheryl is survived by her husband Irving; her parents, Keith Sr. and Leona Ballard; her sons, Chad Johnston of Utica, Scott Johnston of Ilion, and Andrew Johnston and Gregory Torres, both of Utica; and her grandchildren, A’onna, Noah, Grace, and Linnea. Also surviving are her sisters and brother-in-law, Catherine “Cathy” Ballard of Utica, and Shirley and Matthew Damico of Selkirk, NY; her brothers and sister-in-law, Daryl Ballard of TN, Keith, Jr. and Dawn Ballard of Deerfield, and Richard Ballard, and Mark Ballard, both of Utica; her many nieces, nephews, and cousins, especially acknowledging her godchild Madison Damico. She also leaves many dear and cherished friends from Birnie Bus, too numerous to mention. She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Richard and Catherine Brown, with whom she shared a special closeness. The family extends thanks to the nurses and staff of the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center, and the 2nd floor Oncology Department, especially acknowledging Dr. Atul Butala and his assistant Michelle for their care and concern. Visitation will be held Monday from 4:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. By family request, please omit floral offerings. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial donations in Cheryl’s honor to a scholarship fund for her son Gregory; envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed to her sister, Shirley Damico, 15 Sandy Lane, Selkirk, NY 12158. Cheryl’s funeral service will commence on Tuesday morning at 10:30 from the funeral home and at 11:30 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Cheryl A. (Ballard) Hertel

July 6, 1959 - September 20, 2007