Barbara Ann Cheevers

Barbara Ann (Wohler) Cheevers, 71, passed away peacefully on Sept. 20, 2021, in her beloved home surrounded by her loving husband, daughter, family, and dearest pets, after succumbing to a courageous battle with cancer.

Barb’s journey here on Earth was not just a journey of life, but a life of love and devoted selflessness to any human or animal she crossed paths with. Barb touched each and every person or animal she encountered with her charismatic, kind-hearted, and caring presence in her own unique way to make all feel loved and welcomed. She had such a beautiful smile.

Barb was born Aug. 3, 1950, to Paul and Gertrude Wohler in St. Joseph. She attended Fairplain schools through junior high, before proceeding to St. Joseph High School – where she graduated in 1968. Throughout her adolescent years Barb embarked on may friendships and memories that lasted a lifetime.

Following graduation, Barb began her very fulfilling and proud career in the grocery industry for the A&P chain. There she was an honored member of the Cashiers Union. She spent the last 30 years of her career in grocery merchandising regionally and was loved by many through the years for her hard work and dedication until her retirement in 2014.

While the grocery industry was her working career, one of her main passions in life was her life’s work in animal rescue. She began this benevolent life work to the animals with the Animal Aide Organization, serving numerous positions over the years. She was also an eminent charter member and president of Save a Stray Rescue Group where she found forever homes for hundreds of dogs and cars here in Southwest Michigan.

Besides her devotion to animals and her career, Barb had many other passions in life. In particular spending time with her beloved family especially with her husband, daughter and grandchildren. She loved antiquing, estate and yard sales, as well as one of her favorites of taking strolls down at Antiques on the Bluff.

She notably loved dinners whether it be on trips to see family in Florida or right here in Southwest Michigan with family and friends. She also enjoyed walks on the beach while taking in a breathtaking sunset or just relaxing at home in her garden with the sun on her back and the animals playing at her feet.

Barb (Wohler) Cheevers was preceded in death by her father, Paul Martin Wohler, and her mother, Gertrude (Johnson) Wohler, as well as by her brother Dennis Paul Wohler.

She is survived by her most prized relationship of her only daughter and best friend, Tami (Robert) Wingate of Tierra Verde, Fla., and her adored grandchildren, Jacob and Jenna Douglas, as well as Jacob and Justin Wingate. She is also survived by her dear sisters: Carolyn (Tom) Anderson of Pewaukee, Wis., and Bette (Rick) Dirksen of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Finally, she is survived by her beloved and cherished husband, John Cheevers. The two had an eternal love for one another that can’t be described in words. The two had been chasing one another since 1972, all the way down to Florida until she returned back to Benton Harbor, where they made their love for each other everlasting to the world in 1993.

They spent the next 30 years together, standing by each other’s sides enjoying all that life brought to them. While their time on Earth was cut short, their love for one another will be eternal through time.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at an unknown date and time due to COVID-19. However, donations can be made to Berrien County Animal Control, 1400 N. Euclid Ave., Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

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