Cheryl Ann Munson

Cheryl Munson, 80, passed away on Tuesday, December 10, surrounded by family and friends. Cheryl was born on August 8, 1944, to William C. and Shirley Ann (Johnson) White in Denver, CO. She was raised in Phoenix, AZ and received a BA in Anthropology from the University of Arizona. As an undergraduate she was involved in numerous archaeological projects in Arizona, Colorado and Washington State. She was accepted to the graduate program (Anthropology) at the University of Illinois-Urbana in 1965. It was there that she met her future husband, fellow graduate student, Patrick Munson. Shortly after their marriage, in 1967, she joined him in his archaeological research in Mauritania. This led to her becoming somewhat famous across the southwestern Sahara, as the only woman who drove her own camel. In 1969, she and Pat moved to the University of Pittsburgh. They moved to Monroe County in 1971 when her husband accepted a position at IU. In 1972, they purchased a small farm in Indian Creek Township. Shortly thereafter she was appointed as research associate at IU's Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology and subsequently at the Department of Anthropology. While in these positions she directed or co-directed major archaeological investigations at pre-inundation Patoka Lake, Angel Mounds, GE Mound, Southwind, Hovey Lake, Bone Bank, Murphy, Prather, Mammoth Cave, Wyandotte Cave and other sites in southern Indiana and Kentucky. It is also during this period that she became increasingly involved in government affairs involving archeological resources. She retired from these roles with the rank of research scientist in 2021. Cheryl was a beloved and dedicated public servant who started her career in local government as a member of the township fire board. In 1994 she was elected to the Indian Creek Township Board and served for 16 years. She also volunteered for Planned Parenthood, several Monroe County Community School Corporation committees, 4-H, The History Center, Friends of Lake Monroe and the Indian Creek Community Association. Cheryl gave her time and energy to causes that strengthened our community and brought people together. She was re-elected in November to serve a fourth term as an At-Large member on the County Council. The Monroe County Democratic Party will call a caucus to fill her vacancy. Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents and her brother James White. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Patrick Munson, her daughter, Jennifer Munson (Chris Muth) of Ossining, NY, her son, Thomas Edward “Ted” (Suzanne) Munson of Noblesville, granddaughters Savannah Munson, Madeline Munson, Eileen Muth and Vivian Muth. She is also survived by her sister, Linda (Lawrence) Alessio of Solana Beach, CA, her brother Michael White of Phoenix, AZ and her beloved yellow lab Bella. Visitation at Allen Funeral Home at 4155 S. Old State Rd 37, Bloomington IN 47401 will be held from 4pm to 8pm Wednesday December 18th. A celebration of life will be held at 5pm on Thursday December 19th, 2024 with visitation before at 4pm at Allen Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Planned Parenthood https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-involved/other-ways-give or the county's Sophia Travis Grant Fund, of which Cheryl was the proud committee chair and longtime supporter, with memorial managed by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. https://shorturl.at/O8hmV . Allen Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

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Cheryl Ann Munson

August 8, 1944 - December 10, 2024