Cheri L. Carnes' Obituary
Cheri L. Carnes, age 66, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. She was born on January 9, 1955 to Earl and Lillian Elicker in Oakland, CA. In 1996, she made her way from New Orleans to Michigan with nothing but shorts and a tank top! Michigan quickly became a place to call home for Cheri. She married the love of her life, Vince Carnes on July 24, 1982 and together they cherished 38 years of marriage. She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for about 25 years, with many of those years at Mercy Hospital. She loved her job and enjoyed being able to help others. She was a tender-loving woman, who always put others before herself. She and Vince shared many holidays giving gifts to those in need instead of to one another. Together they enjoyed traveling, taking road trips, and motorcycle rides all over Michigan. She will always be remembered as a free-spirited woman, full of spunk, who marched to the beat of her own drum. Cheri was a kind-hearted and loving soul who will truly be missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her loving husband, Vince Carne; fur babies, Starla and Andre aka “Brut Force”; sister-in-law, Jessie (Glen) Niesen; brother-in-law, Daniel (Amy) Carnes; 4 nieces; 2 nephews; and dear friends, Robert (Gayle) Townsend and Karen Barnhard. She is preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Eljean (Larry) Belmonte. Memorial contributions in Cheri’s honor can be donated to Best Friends or Toys for Tots. Arrangements by The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 E. Apple, Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442. You may visit the family’s online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Cheri?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cheri?
Share a story where Cheri's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cheri you’ll never forget.
How did Cheri make you smile?

