Cheryl Lynn Clingerman

Cheryl L Clingerman (Salona), 63, passed away on Tuesday January 27, 2026 at UH Geauga Hospital, following an extremely brief yet courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. A lifelong resident of Middlefield, Cheryl was born on April 28, 1962, to Clifford and Diane (Conrad) Salona.
Cheryl graduated from Cardinal High School in 1980 and devoted her entire working life to the Middlefield Library, her first and only job. She was hired as a shelver while still in high school and never left, serving the library and community for 33 years. Through dedication and hard work, Cheryl worked her way up to become Head of Circulation before retiring in 2011. Many knew her as the friendly, welcoming face that greeted you behind the circulation desk.

On August 21, 2003, Cheryl married Thomas Clingerman, in a special ceremony at the Anne of Green Gables house on Prince Edward Island in Canada. Together, Cheryl and Tom shared a love of travel, sightseeing, and scenic driving tours, always eager to experience new places side by side. One of their many adventures included walking the five-mile Mackinac Bridge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, just one example of the memories they treasured together.

Cheryl was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was a natural caregiver, spending countless hours selflessly caring for others. Cheryl found joy in life’s simple pleasures: enjoying fresh summer fruit, soaking up the sun in her backyard pool, walking along the beach searching for sea glass, and patiently teaching her niece and nephew how to drive. She was actively involved in their lives from the day they were born and rarely missed a school function, cheering them on every step of the way.

A loyal Cleveland Guardians fan, Cheryl loved discussing games daily with her dad. She also cherished her “girls’ day” casino trips with her friend and never passed up a chance to see Donny Osmond perform when he came to Cleveland, even waiting in line for the opportunity to meet him.

Cheryl will be greatly missed by her husband, Tom; her father, Cliff; her sisters, Marla Yoder and Ladine Gfeller; nieces Zoey, Kinley; and nephew Grayson; Step daughter, Corrie Clingerman; grandsons, Seth and Dylan Clingerman; great-grandchildren; and her extended family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Diane Salona, and her brother-in-laws, Rodney Yoder and Jarrett Gfeller.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Sly Family Funeral Home on Sunday, February 8, 2026 from 2-4.  A private burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Cheryl’s niece and nephew’s college education fund. 
Zoey and Grayson Yoder Education Fund
C/O Huntington National Bank
14849 North State Avenue
Middlefield, OH  44062

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