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Captain Cheryl Warriner |
Captain Cheryl Warriner was unexpectedly promoted to Glory on October 5, 2004 from St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Idaho, following complications from emergency surgery.
Cheryl Lynn Meltabarger was born in Concord, Calif. on August 25, 1959. After graduating from high school, she moved to San Diego, where she encountered difficulties. Salvationist Rosalie Doom offered her a home and Cheryl’s life soon turned around—for when you lived with Rosalie, you also went to church with her! Through Rosalie’s influence, Cheryl gave her heart to Jesus.
Eventually Cheryl became secretary at the San Diego Citadel Corps, where she met Donald Warriner, who stopped by to see a friend. The couple wed in 1982.
Cheryl and Don became active in the Anacortes, Wash. corps, and Cheryl became corps assistant in 1997. Under her leadership, the youth programs grew dramatically. In 1998 the Warriners entered training with the Forward 2000 Session.
They were commissioned and sent as corps officers to Vancouver, Wash. in 2000. Their second and current appointment is Lewiston, Idaho.
A loving wife and mother, Cheryl was an encourager to all. She had a passion for youth work and was a great communicator with a wonderful sense of humor. She urged people to have faith, even in difficult situations. “Just a mustard seed of faith is all you need to begin with,” she would say, as she listened and counseled others. Cheryl will be remembered as a giving person and a woman of great faith.
She is survived by her husband, Donald; two sons, Michael and Matthew; two brothers in Texas; and several nieces and a nephew.
A celebration of life service was held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewiston, with Major Bill Nottle bringing the message and Lt. Colonel Terry Griffin leading the service.
Cards and messages may be sent to the family at 358 Shiloh Drive, Lewiston, ID 83501-9623.
The family suggests memorials for youth programming to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 773, Lewiston, ID 83501-0773.