Sherri Lee Casterline

Sherri Lee Casterline, 73, of St. Charles, Illinois, passed away on March 15, 2026, at Northwestern Medicine Hospice Care under their Hospice care in Geneva, Illinois. She courageously battled Pulmonary Fibrosis for many years, with the disease progressing more rapidly in her final month, ultimately leading to her passing.

Born on June 2, 1952, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sherri was the daughter of Meriwyn “Polly” and James Casterline of Tipton. She graduated with honors from Tipton High School with the Class of 1970.

She continued her education through a variety of unique and enriching experiences, including Semester at Sea, where she attended classes while traveling around the world. She also studied at Stephens College, the University of Iowa, and the University of Wisconsin, along with completing many continuing education courses. She earned a master’s degree in Educational Psychology, a BS in Instructional Design and another in Social Work.

On September 9, 1999, she was united in marriage to her first love, Larry Mathias, in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. They shared 26 happy years of marriage and especially enjoyed being together.

Sherri began her business career in sales with IBM and later worked for Kraft Foods and Arthur Andersen in St. Charles, Illinois. She was Director of Global Enterprise Services Learning for the Asia-Pacific region, traveling extensively. Later, she founded her own consulting company, Strategic Link, before retiring to stay home and enjoy life.

She was a devoted member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, Illinois, where she was elected President of the Board and served on many teams, including the Social Justice Team and DEI Team. She found many new friendships within her church.

Her love for small dogs was evident in her involvement with a group dedicated to rescuing older or unwanted Cairn Terriers and transporting them to new forever homes. She authored and published a children’s book on the subject titled A Mile in My Paws, a real-life touching story that helps children better understand the value of “adopt, don’t shop.”

She was an avid reader and visited her local bookstore weekly. She also loved crafts, making wire-wrapped jewelry, rings, and bracelets. She was also talented in collage and assemblage, creating art pieces from random items she picked up in her travels. Sherri especially enjoyed doting on her step-children and grandchildren whenever she could, and most especially at Christmas time.

Sherri is survived by her husband, Larry Mathias; step-sons, Matthew Mathias of Aurora, Illinois, and Andrew Mathias (Amy) of Yorkville, Illinois; step-grandchildren, Kallista Mathias of Rochester, Minnesota, Amelia Mathias of Sycamore, Illinois, and Adrian Mariano of Orlando, Florida; and step-great-grandchildren, Armani, Elliara, and Eliza Mariano, and her foreign exchange student “sister” Ana Maria Miranda of Conception, Chile as well as many dear aunts, uncles, cousins, and a circle of loving friends who will miss her generosity, laughter and excellent advice.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Polly and Jim Casterline; her in-laws, Norma and Cecil Mathias.

Funeral services for Sherri Lee Casterline will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Red Oak Grove Church, Tipton, Iowa, with Rev. Sandusky officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch and fellowship in the church basement. Burial will follow at Tipton Masonic Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

Memorial donations may be made to her favorite charity, Cairn Rescue USA, at www.cairnrescueusa.com, to help ensure every little terrier in need of a new home can find one.