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Sheryl Haystead, beloved wife, mother and friend slipped into the presence of God the evening of January 6, 2012. Sheryl had been diagnosed with cancer of the liver just after Christmas, and was kept quietly sedated in the ICU until it was certain that she could not recover.

Sheryl always loved children: her own, her grandchildren and those she taught in Sunday School every week at her church. For over 35 years, she served children’s ministries around the world by writing, editing and creating curriculum for Gospel Light Publications. She has trained teachers across this country and abroad; she dedicated her life to drawing children to Jesus. She was a quiet hero of the faith. Many thousands of children and teachers have been impacted by an activity she created, by an inspirational word she gave at a workshop or through a book she wrote (such as How to Have a Great Sunday School, and many more). She loved talking to those who are in ministry and always said that teachers were the ones who inspired her to keep going! But she and her work profoundly inspired many others.

Sheryl began her career with Gospel Light in 1974 as an editorial assistant and after only three months was promoted to Associate Editor. In 1977 Sheryl became the Assistant to the Managing Editor and in 1978 she was promoted to Editor. During the next few years, Sheryl left Gospel Light to start her family and began working in a freelance capacity until 1997 when she rejoined Gospel Light as a Senior Editor. In 2001, Sheryl was promoted to Managing Editor and in 2004 she was promoted to Senior Managing Editor. Donna Lucas, Publishing Director at Gospel Light said, “Sheryl was a light for us, a rock to our publishing team and a teacher to so many of us; interestingly, these are all words she would use to describe Jesus her Savior. She has taught us by example how to be the best for Christ. We will all miss her deeply.” When Jesus spoke with a woman whose brother had died, Jesus comforted her as she mourned saying, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying." (John 11:25, NLT)

Sheryl is survived by her husband and ministry partner, Wes, her sons Andrew and Jon, her step-daughter, Karen Duzy, son-in-law, Dave Duzy, daughter-in-law, Becky, plus five grandchildren: Samantha, Abigail, Jayce, Penelope, and Anya, each of whom she cherished. She is also survived by her brother Marvin Hamstad and sister, Arlene Bishop.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children’s Ministry of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, honoring Sheryl’s lifelong love for serving children.

If you have a message for Sheryl's family, please send it to Donna Lucas at donna.lucas@gospellight.com