Cheryl K. (Purvis) Bechtold

Cheryl was born on August 2, 1961, at Fort Meade, MD, to Gerald and Betty (Wise) Purvis.

Cheryl grew up in Niantic, CT; graduated from East Lyme High School; and attended the University of Maine on a full-ride Army ROTC scholarship. Between military service and raising two children, she was an avid volunteer in several areas, including her favorite nonprofit, Alice’s Kids. Cheryl was also focused on nutrition, health, and fitness, enjoying long walks, workouts at StarFit Studio, and 20-mile bicycle rides that ultimately added up to more than 4,000 miles on her odometer.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her father Gerald Purvis and brother Gerald (Brad) Purvis. Cheryl is survived by her husband Mike; children Lindsey (Traise) Bechtold-Rawlings and Ben (Michelle) Bechtold; granddaughter Lily Bechtold; mother Betty Purvis; sisters Jill Cleaver and Joy Timbs; several cousins, nieces, and nephews; and her “little stinker pot” Maltese, Sunny.

In lieu of flowers, Cheryl urges you to keep up with preventive measures, including colonoscopies, and to make sure all your friends and family stay on top of their health too.

She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Her family will notify loved ones and friends when details are available.