Sherl J. Foster died Monday, May 26 at the family farm after a short illness surrounded by her family. She was born October 19, 1950 in Youngstown, Ohio to Charles J. Wilhelm and Helen (Kunkle) Wilhelm.

She graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1969. Always a hard worker, she started working at Packard Electric the Monday after she graduated. A strong work ethic was only one of the lessons she instilled in her four children.

Sherl leaves behind her husband of 54 years, Glen W. Foster. They married October 30, 1971. They would make a home in Mineral Ridge, Ohio for many years before deciding to purchase the family farm in East Palestine, Ohio.

Sherl leaves behind her daughter, Kristy (Foster) Seachrist (Kurt Seachrist) and three sons: G.W. Foster (Amanda Hoon), John Foster (Ashley Hughes) and Charles Foster (Alesha DeGarmo). She was very proud of her 13 grandchildren: Kaylee Shafer, Taylor Foster, Maddison Foster, Riley Foster, Emily Foster, Kyle Seachrist, Ava DeGarmo, Caleb Foster, Klayton Seachrist, Ember Foster, Kasen Seachrist, Kaiser Seachrist and Avery Foster, plus one great- grandchild.

Children were Sherl's life and that's a golden lesson she taught to her children. She worked as a Guardian Ad Litem for the Columbiana County Juvenile Court for over 15 years. She wasn't afraid to fight for what was best for kids, their needs or lessons that needed taught.

She raised her four children but that wasn't a full house to her. She was always willing to help out other youth through the years and many were welcomed in their family home through the years. She truly lived for kids.

If Sherl wasn't doing something with her grandchildren then she could be found with her animals. She loved her dogs and cats and enjoyed her strolls to the barn to take care of her chickens. All about doing a hard days work, she wasn't one to turn her back on a bottle lamb. That was another big lesson from Sherl, respect for all animals.

In her youngest grandson's words: "Mimi was a good person and taught us a lot including how to make the best M&M cookies."

Calling hours will be 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. Thursday at Linsley-Royal Funeral Home in East Palestine, a short funeral service will follow.