Sheralynn Marie Neff was a bundle of energy as a little girl. She would run away from her parents during walks, and, before we knew it, she was shimmying up a light pole, a flag pole, or to the very top of the swing set. There she would stop and look down, smug and triumphant! Great heights presented no danger to her. Friends would watch as she climbed the trees in front of the church after worship on Sundays. A classmate's mother remembered her as a competent participant in the high school diving team. We dubbed her "Iron Feet" because she could walk barefoot on anything hot or rough.
This intrepid preschooler grew into a considerate, gracious young woman. Trying out new ideas and ventures was also typical for Sheralynn. She went at everything she did, whether it was school, music, painting a room, working on a farm, caring for elderly, or teaching English, with intense determination. When her hair grew out past her knees, she cut off several feet to donate to "Locks of Love". So many appreciated her gentle spirit, wry wit and thoughtful observations. She seemed old beyond her years. Yet one couldn't help but notice the mischievous little girl still lurking just behind that quiet "Mona Lisa" smile, looking for those high places.
Sheralynn grew up in North Newton, Kansas. She attended Newton High school, where she was a Valedictorian, a National Merit Finalist, a member of the Honor Society, and active in a number of other extra-curricular activities. She graduated from Hesston College in 2011 and Canadian Mennonite Bible College in 2014. She had planned to attend graduate school. Church ministry, peacemaking and conflict resolution were her main areas of study during college, while she continued to perform in a number of musical ensembles. Her flute playing was exceptional and she sang in the elite "Bel Canto" Singers at Hesston College.
She was baptized upon confession of faith as a teenager at First Mennonite Church, Newton. A family friend recalled that Sheralynn seemed to dramatically mature almost overnight when she came to her own personal faith decision. Sheralynn lived her faith in Jesus with a life of service to others in employment and everyday tasks. She served with "Radical Journey" (Mennonite Mission Network) in Brazil and taught in Korea.
Sheralynn died in the midst of seeking new heights. She had been skydiving, exploring yet another new horizon and once again challenging herself. In early February, 2017, the FAA delivered the final verdict that the exact cause of her separating from her chute and gear is unknown, but that there was no intentional cause, or liability on the part of anyone that could be determined. She was found close to county lines,so the exact county location of death is not definite, though the address of the airport was in Cushing, Oklahoma.
Now she has passed that horizon to incomprehensible vistas and amazing, eternal love and life. But we weren't ready to see her go, just yet.
