STEPHENVILLE – The Tarleton State football program, athletics department and university suffered a tragic loss over the weekend as longtime employee, Cheryl Spellmeier, passed away.

 A memorial service will be held for Spellmeier Friday August 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A scholarship has been created in her name and donations may be made to the Chery Spellmeier Scholarship by contacting Ms. Elaine Bayer in the Development Office at (254) 968-1981.

 Spellmeier was involved in a car accident with an 18-wheeler near the intersection of US Highway 281 and State Highway 108 near Valley Grove Baptist Church at approximately 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, July 26.

 “Cheryl was a tremendous person and a tremendous role model for young people,” said Tarleton Athletic Director, Lonn Reisman. “She was so kind-hearted, such a caring and loving person to everyone she met. She loved her family deeply and had a caring and loving spirit that was felt throughout our entire athletic department.

 “Our football players – past and present – looked at her as another mom,” he added. “She is going to be a tremendous loss to everyone who knew her and our prayers are with her family.”

 Spellmeier was a 25-year resident of the Stephenville community, the last 14 of them spent as the senior football secretary for the Texans.

 “She was the mother of our football program for 14 year,” said Tarleton head football coach Cary Fowler. “She was everything to the players and coaches. She would do anything for our program and her family, which included every player to pass through our field house and locker room over the last 14 years. She was a great mother and grandmother.”

 Her daughter, Amanda, and grandchildren were also in the car but are fine following hospital visits to tend to injuries. Amanda was transported by helicopter to Parkland Memorial in Dallas while the grandchildren were sent to Texas Health in Stephenville. All three passengers have since been released from their respective hospitals.