Cheri Lynn Yaley Mayfield, 63, passed unexpectedly on August 7, 2025, in Stockholm, Sweden, while on a vacation with her husband. She was born on October 24, 1961, in Fort Madison, to James and Linda K. Yaley. Cheri grew up in Denmark, Iowa, and graduated from Fort Madison Senior High in 1980. After receiving her B.A. in Behavioral Sciences and Communication from Grace College, she went on to earn a Master’s in Biblical Counseling from Grace Theological Seminary. Cheri married David Mayfield on October 2, 1993, in the Jeanne Vail Chapel at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. After living in Dallas and Richardson, Texas, they moved to New York City in 1997, where they resided. Cheri, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and New York, enjoyed a career in private and church counseling and as a customer agent for Delta Airlines. She was a member of Redeemer Church in New York City.
Cheri loved music and was actively involved in the choir and as a soloist at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Plano, Texas. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and parents to new places, cooking, and serving creative meals. She was a devout Christian with a generous spirit who showed kindness to all, coming home frequently to visit her family and friends. Cheri was a blessing to her husband, family, and friends as she assisted others, arranging and traveling to medical appointments, often sending health supplements as gifts. Cheri enriched the lives of all who knew and loved her and she will be greatly missed but present in our hearts.
Cheri is survived by her husband, David Mayfield; father, James “Jim” Yaley; two brothers, Dave Yaley (Cindy Dinwiddie) and Larry (Anne) Yaley; nephews: Eric (Ashley) Yaley of Fort Madison, Brandon (Jessica) Yaley of New London, Cory (Jessica) Bohnenkamp of West Point, Iowa, and Jason (Jamie) Bohnenkamp of Denmark, Iowa; nieces: Sarah Yaley of Burlington, Kayla Bohnenkamp of Montrose, and Shawna (Zeke) Ross of Fort Madison; brother-in-law, Joe Bohnenkamp; several aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Linda K. Boe Yaley, and her sister, Lisa Bohnenkamp.
A celebration of life for Cheri will be held in the future.