Search Results

WARNKE -- CHERYL LYNN Former owner of Piano Source and beloved teacher, died of cancer at her home in Albuquerque on Monday, January 30. She was 74. Cheryl was born June 25, 1937, in LaPorte, Indiana, to Earl and Stella Cumerford. She graduated from LaPorte High School in 1956 where she played trombone in the band. She received a degree in education in 1960 from Ball State Teachers College where she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. She was a gifted musician, learning to play piano at age of 3. Her piano teacher booted her out of class for playing by ear which led to a long career as a teacher and businesswoman. She played piano and organ throughout her life. She played at live venues around Albuquerque in the 1960s, including the Officers Club at Kirtland AFB and the High Finance restaurant at the top of the Tram. She also taught piano, organ and keyboard classes to students at Piano Source music store in the 1990s. She was an elementary school teacher at Farmington Public Schools, Deming Public Schools, the International School in Saudi Arabia, and Albuquerque Public Schools. She also owned the Piano Source from 1993 to 2000. She was a member of Sandia Baptist Church and lived in New Mexico for nearly half a century. She married Terry Warnke in 1960 and moved to Albuquerque in 1961. She also lived in Deming and Farmington. Cheryl is survived by her husband of 51 years, Terry Warnke; daughters, Julie Leitner and her husband, John; Laura Gilliland and her husband Mike; son, Scott Warnke and his wife, Leanne Potts; grandchildren Lauren Matheny, Logan Matheny, Christopher Gilliland, Elizabeth Gilliland, Lucinda Warnke and Jack Warnke; aunt Ethel Shepard; cousins Susie Smith and her husband, Mark, and Steve Shepard. Visitation will be at French - University, 1111 University Blvd. NE, Friday February 3rd from 4:00-8:00 pm. Funeral Services will be at Sandia Baptist Church, 9429 Constitution Ave. NE on Saturday, February 4th at 11:00 am. Private interment will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Albuquerque Public Schools Education Foundation's A is for Art! Fund, P.O. Box 25704 Albuquerque, NM 87125-0704, or online at: www.aps.edu/education-foundation/donate-now. Please visit our online guestbook for Cheryl at: www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 1111 University Blvd NE 505-843-6333
        Published on: Thu February 02, 2012